The Houthi movement in Yemen has claimed responsibility for a series of missile and drone attacks on key locations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital, amid escalating regional tensions. The attacks, which targeted what the Houthis described as sensitive sites, prompted Saudi authorities to issue air raid alerts across Riyadh and other cities, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.
In response to the attacks, Saudi Arabia’s military coalition reported intercepting a missile aimed at the capital. Explosions were heard in Riyadh, and emergency crews were dispatched to handle a fire involving a fuel tank near King Khalid International Airport. Saudi authorities later declared an all-clear, but the incident has heightened concerns about the safety of civilian and energy infrastructure within the kingdom.
The Houthis stated that these attacks were in retaliation for recent Saudi military operations targeting their positions in Yemen, which they allege included hundreds of airstrikes. This renewed bout of hostilities also raises fears over the security of critical maritime routes such as the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, vital for global shipping and energy supplies.
As the conflict intensifies, the United Nations Security Council has condemned the Houthi attacks on civilian and energy facilities in Saudi Arabia and urged measures to prevent the group from acquiring more weapons and military support. The situation is further complicated by broader regional tensions involving Iran and the United States, with Washington advising its citizens in the area to exercise increased caution.