Saudi Warning System Silent Before Deadly Riyadh Airport Attacks

Saudi Arabia halted public warnings of imminent attacks days before four deadly strikes hit Riyadh airport last week, killing at least 18 people and injuring over 300. The government has offered no explanation for the silence.

Why Saudi Arabia Stopped Issuing Alerts

The alerts once highlighted violence clashing with the kingdom’s image of calm during its war with Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis. Officials from an allied Western government were told the warnings had become too disruptive, with citizens complaining about being woken at night. Analyst Sultan Alamer said Riyadh wanted “to have it both ways” projecting military strength while reassuring the population.

Gulf Nations Handle Warnings Differently

Qatar sends mobile alerts before nearly every attack, while Bahrain and Kuwait sound sirens urging shelter. Saudi Arabia’s system launched in May but went quiet after a September 29 alert for Najran, even as Houthi attacks intensified. Monday brought the first new warnings, covering Riyadh and southern cities.

Embassy Alerts and Saturday’s Deadliest Strike

Western embassies issued internal missile alerts to staff, yet even they received none before Saturday’s attack. The civil defence continues warning about weather and forbidding residents from sharing interception images.

At Monday’s energy congress, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman insisted the country was safe while conceding the risk “is not gone.”