Saudi Arabia issues first air raid alerts for Riyadh since Houthis escalated attacks

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia recently received air raid alerts for the first time since the Houthis escalated their attacks and declared a maritime embargo in July. The Saudi Civil Defence issued alerts for the capital and several other regions late Friday night and Saturday morning as tensions with the Iran-backed group continued to rise.

Witnesses reported hearing explosions in the city, but authorities later confirmed the danger had passed. Authorities urged residents to avoid crowds. The Houthis recently took control of the strategic port city of Mokha and Perim Island, a crucial shipping route for Saudi exports to Asia and Europe. The group justified their actions by stating the naval blockade was retaliation for a Saudi blockade of Houthi-controlled ports and airports in western Yemen.

In recent days, the Houthis launched drone and missile attacks on Saudi oil facilities, causing fires that temporarily halted operations. These attacks have directly impacted global energy markets, causing petrol and diesel prices to surge. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has personally urged US President Donald Trump to take military action against the Houthis, though Trump has declined to send troops, offering instead intelligence and targeting assistance.

The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting on Tuesday, where both the Yemeni government and Saudi Arabia called for more decisive action against the Houthis. The council members agreed to maintain freedom of navigation in the Red Sea to prevent further disruptions to global supply chains. Yemen has suffered a devastating civil war since 2014, with over 150,000 deaths and 22 million people in dire need of aid.