Saudi Arabia Issues First Riyadh Air Raid Alerts Since Houthi Escalation
Explosions were reported in the capital before residents received an all-clear; the incident marks a new phase in the conflict.
Residents in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh, received an all-clear after air raid alerts were issued and explosions were heard late Friday night and into Saturday morning. It was the first time such alerts have been issued for Riyadh since the Iran-backed Houthi group escalated attacks and declared a "maritime embargo" against the Kingdom in July.
The Saudi Civil Defence sent alerts for the capital and several other regions. Journalists from Reuters and AFP reported hearing explosions in Riyadh, but authorities later confirmed the danger had passed and urged residents to avoid gathering in crowds.
Escalating Conflict
The incident occurs amid a continuing escalation of conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. The Houthis recently seized control of the strategic port city of Mokha and Perim Island, a critical gateway for shipping used by Saudi Arabia for exports to Asia and Europe. The Houthi military spokesman stated the naval blockade was in retaliation for a Saudi blockade of ports and airports in Houthi-controlled northwestern Yemen.
Saudi vessels have increasingly relied on the Red Sea shipping route for oil exports, particularly since the Strait of Hormuz became less accessible. In recent weeks, the Houthis have attacked several Saudi oil facilities with drones and missiles, causing fires and temporary halts in operations. These attacks have had a direct impact on global energy markets, contributing to rising petrol and diesel prices worldwide.
International Diplomacy and UN Involvement
Sources familiar with the matter told CBS News, the BBC's US media partner, that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had personally requested U.S. President Donald Trump to take military action against the Houthis. Trump, however, has declined direct U.S. military involvement, offering intelligence and targeting support instead. A senior Trump administration official confirmed ongoing dialogue with Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni government regarding regional stability.
Earlier in the week, the Houthi military spokesman claimed responsibility for drone and missile launches into Saudi Arabia, citing over 450 Saudi airstrikes on their territory in the preceding week.
The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency meeting this week, where both Yemen's government and Saudi Arabia called for more decisive action against the Houthis, accusing them of choking the Bab al-Mandab Strait to exert economic pressure. Council members emphasized the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation in the Red Sea to prevent disruptions to global supply chains.
Broader Context of the Yemen Conflict
Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war since 2014 when the Houthis ousted the government from the capital, Sanaa. The conflict intensified in 2015 with the intervention of a Saudi-led coalition of Arab states aiming to restore the government's rule. The war has reportedly resulted in over 150,000 deaths and created one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises, with over 22 million people requiring aid, according to UN figures.