Saudi civil defense sends all-clear after alerts issued for Riyadh in first since Houthi escalation
The alerts come hours after the Houthis' military spokesperson said the group had foiled unspecified "criminal attempts" in the Yemeni capital Sanaa, blaming Saudi Arabia and vowing a response.
On Saturday, the Saudi civil defense declared an all-clear in Riyadh and Al-Kharj, a city east of the capital, following alerts of potential danger in the region. This marks the first such warning for the capital since Iran-backed Houthi attacks against the Gulf nation intensified. A Reuters journalist reported hearing two explosions in Riyadh's Olaya area.
These alerts follow Houthis' military spokesperson's claim that the group thwarted unspecified criminal attempts in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, blaming Saudi Arabia and threatening retaliation. The Saudi government has not yet responded to the Houthis' statement. The Houthis, who control the majority of Yemen and large parts of the north, have been targeting Saudi Arabia since declaring a naval blockade in July, with strikes aimed at Saudi vessels in the Red Sea.
The group, backed by Iran, recently seized the entire Red Sea coast in Yemen and claims that the Saudi Air Force has conducted hundreds of airstrikes in recent days. The UN Security Council strongly condemned the ongoing Houthi attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including those targeting civilian and energy infrastructure, resulting in injuries to civilians, including women and children. The Security Council also condemned Houthi military escalation in Yemen.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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