Filming attacks is a crime, Saudi Arabia warns social media users

Saudi Arabia has cautioned social media users against filming or sharing footage of attacks on its territory, according to the Interior Ministry in Riyadh. The ministry emphasized this as part of efforts to safeguard national security, urging people to avoid posting videos of missile or drone interceptions, as well as the sites where these incidents occur.

The warning comes amid escalating tensions following the country's deadliest attack in nearly a decade, which left 13 people dead and over 300 injured at Riyadh Airport at the end of last week. This assault was carried out by the Iran-backed Houthi militia operating from Yemen.

The kingdom is striving to maintain an image of stability and calm in the face of these challenges. The Houthi group, based in Yemen, has been targeting not just airports but also oil installations across the region. Inside Saudi Arabia, critics and dissidents face severe repercussions and repression, with no independent media outlets available.

Citizens are discouraged from expressing views on sensitive topics online, as doing so could lead to punishment. Despite these challenges, the nation is actively seeking to draw in foreign investment as part of its strategy to lessen reliance on oil and fossil fuels.