Saudi warning system stayed silent before deadly airport attacks - Reuters

Deadly strikes hit Riyadh’s main airport, leaving at least 18 people dead and more than 300 injured. The attacks, described as military in nature, unfolded over several days and targeted both civilian and security facilities at the airport complex.

According to official reports, Saudi Arabia halted the issuance of public warnings about imminent military attacks several days before the airport was struck. The cessation of alerts applied to the nation’s civilian warning system that typically broadcasts alerts for potential threats.

During the period of the attacks, the warning system remained silent, providing no public notifications to residents, travelers, or airport personnel. No emergency messages were released through the usual channels that disseminate alerts for air raid or missile threats.

The lack of warnings has prompted questions regarding the kingdom’s vulnerability to such attacks and its capacity to safeguard both citizens and visitors. Analysts and observers have highlighted concerns about whether the discontinuation of alerts may have impeded timely protective measures.

Saudi authorities have not yet offered a detailed explanation for the suspension of public warnings or for the system’s inactivity during the attacks. The silence of the warning network continues to be a focal point of scrutiny as the country assesses its emergency response protocols.