Saudi warning system stayed silent before deadly airport attacks
The kingdom resumed alerts after the attacks, while Western embassies kept sending internal missile and drone warnings to staff.
- Saudi Arabia ceased issuing public mobile and social media attack warnings days before October 10 strikes at King Khalid International Airport that killed at least 18 people and wounded more than 300.
- Following a September 29 alert, the national early warning system went silent after authorities reportedly told officials that alerts were 'too disruptive' and citizens complained about nighttime disruptions.
- While public channels remained quiet, Western embassies maintained internal missile and drone alerts for staff compiled from US and Western intelligence, though even these private warnings failed to predict the October 10 strike.
- Former US ambassador to Saudi Arabia Michael Ratney said Riyadh's attempt to maintain normalcy backfired, noting the 'lack of alerts of incoming Houthi attacks creates the very nervousness they are trying to avoid.'
- Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salaman struck a defiant tone at the World Petroleum Council Energy Congress on Monday, stating 'Our gathering here does not mean the risk is gone' while prioritizing economic plans.
43 Articles
43 Articles
Saudi Arabia's civilian air raid warning system has gone silent and stopped as Houthi attacks intensify and become more deadly. What's going on?
Saudi authorities disrupted public alerts about attacks for two weeks. They did not release any alerts before the Houthis reached Riade airport on Saturday.
Security failure? Saudi Arabia's warning system stayed silent before airport attacks
Saudi Arabia did not issue public warnings before a series of attacks on Riyadh airport that killed 18 people and wounded more than 300. The lapse has raised questions over civilian safety, official communication and the kingdom's air defence coverage.
Saudi Arabia’s warning system fell silent before deadly Riyadh strikes: What we know
Saudi Arabia’s public warning alerts reportedly went silent before deadly strikes in Riyadh, following complaints that nighttime alerts disrupted sleep. The absence of warnings has raised questions about the country’s public alert system as Houthi attacks pose a growing security threat.
The Saudi government shut down the warning system, without saying why.
Saudi Arabia shut down its public early warning system before the Riyadh airport attacks, which resulted in at least 18 deaths and more than 300 injuries. The government tried to maintain a façade of normal life, but this only increased the sense of insecurity.
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