JEDDAH, 3 March 2003 — Dozens of sirens blared throughout the streets of Jeddah on Saturday afternoon, bringing curious and startled shopkeepers, residents and shoppers outdoors to investigate the source of the commotion.
Two helicopters flew overhead as a deafening procession of over 65 trucks, hovercrafts, patrol cars and motorcycles — all with their sirens on and their lights flashing — made their way down Madinah Road to Al-Andalus St. and on to Tahlia St. and the Makkah Highway.
The occasion marked the beginning of the Kingdom’s annual Civil Defense Appreciation Day.
The ill-publicized event caused some concern among residents.
“I thought the war had started,” Muhammad Al-Deleami, 23, told Arab News.
Majid Al-Tunsi, 48, said he heard the sirens and went outside “and saw all the hardware and thought something had gone terribly wrong. But then I realized it was a parade.”
“The civil defense work hard to protect us all,” said Abdul Qader Al-Ghamdi, 31.
“They deserve a day of recognition. This show of force was very impressive.”
