Riyadh on Alert Amid Houthi Escalation

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia issued emergency alerts in Riyadh and the nearby city of Al-Kharj early Saturday, warning residents of a potential aerial threat amid escalating attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement. Saudi Civil Defence later issued an all-clear, saying the immediate danger had passed. A Reuters journalist in Riyadh reported hearing loud booms after the alerts were issued.

The alerts were the first reported in the Saudi capital since the latest escalation in fighting involving the Houthis. The warnings came hours after Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out what he described as “criminal attempts” in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and vowed retaliation. A large plume of black smoke and flames was later seen near Riyadh’s main airport. Reuters said the cause of the smoke was not immediately clear, and Saudi government officials had not immediately commented.

The latest developments come amid a sharp escalation in Houthi attacks targeting Saudi territory and infrastructure. The Houthis have intensified their military activity in the region since declaring a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in July, according to Reuters.

Saudi Arabia has also issued security alerts in several other parts of the kingdom in recent days, including Jeddah, Taif, Khamis Mushait and AlUla. Earlier this week, Saudi authorities said they intercepted a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it entered the city’s restricted airspace. The Houthis denied targeting Mecca or other Islamic holy sites. The escalation has raised concerns over regional security, energy infrastructure and international shipping, particularly as the Houthis control territory along parts of Yemen’s Red Sea coast near the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait.