In a significant escalation of regional tensions, Yemen’s Houthi group has claimed responsibility for missile and drone strikes targeting sensitive sites in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh. This development comes as flames and thick black smoke were observed near King Khalid International Airport, prompting air raid alerts for residents in Riyadh and other cities.
Reports of explosions in Riyadh emerged as emergency teams tackled a fire involving a fuel tank close to the airport. The Saudi military coalition confirmed that its air defenses intercepted a missile aimed at the capital, later declaring an all-clear for the area. This marks the first instance of air raid warnings in Riyadh since the intensification of hostilities with the Houthis in July.
The Houthi group stated that these attacks were a direct response to Saudi Arabia’s military actions against them in Yemen, claiming that Saudi forces had launched hundreds of airstrikes in recent days. The escalation has raised alarms about the safety of civilian and energy infrastructure within Saudi Arabia, as well as potential disruptions to shipping and energy supplies along the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a crucial maritime corridor.
The United Nations Security Council has condemned the Houthi attacks impacting civilian and energy sites, urging measures to prevent the group from acquiring additional weapons and military support. Meanwhile, the broader conflict persists amid ongoing regional tensions involving Iran, the United States, and their allies. The U.S. has advised its citizens in the region to remain vigilant.