Saudi Arabia issues Riyadh air raid alert, explosions heard
RIYADH: Explosions were heard in Riyadh on Saturday, an AFP journalists reported, after an air raid alert was issued by Saudi Arabian authorities, regularly targeted in recent days by pro-Iranian Houthis in Yemen.
Riyadh residents were warned on Saturday of an air raid alert, prompting them to stay indoors, according to AFP journalists. The alert, issued by Saudi authorities, came after explosions were heard in the Saudi capital, marking the first direct attack on the city since the conflict in neighboring Yemen escalated in July. The Saudi Red Sea coast, already under Houthi control, saw a lightning offensive this month, granting the group access to the crucial Bab al-Mandab strait.
This strait, vital for Saudi oil exports, has seen a drop in exports since July, despite claims from the Houthis that navigation is open. The UN reported that the renewed fighting has displaced over 112,000 people and forced nearly 3,000 to flee to Djibouti, exacerbating the already struggling population.
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