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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.
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Saudi warning system stayed silent before deadly airport attacks
The government has not said why there were no alerts to the public. Their absence raises questions about Saudi Arabia's vulnerability to attack and about its ability to protect residents and visitors, four Western and Arab officials in the region and political analysts told Reuters.
·London, United Kingdom
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Total News Sources9
Leaning Left2Leaning Right2Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution56% Center
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources are Center
56% Center
L 22%
C 56%
R 22%
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