Saudi Capital Riyadh Hit by Air Raid Sirens Amid Escalating Yemen Conflict

Air raid sirens sounded twice in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh, overnight between Friday and Saturday, marking the first such alerts in the city since the Houthi rebels in Yemen made significant advances, seizing coastal areas that give them de facto control over the strategic Bab el-Mandeb strait. Saudi Civil Defense reported that the danger had passed and there were no reports of damage or casualties, though Arab media cited explosions heard across the capital. The alerts, which also affected the nearby Al-Kharj province, occurred around 3:00 AM and 5:20 AM local time. Earlier, sirens were heard in the Farasan province, and on Friday, warnings were issued in numerous other locations, including Yanbu, Taif, Jeddah, Khamis Mushait, Al-Ula, Jazan, and Abha.

The escalating conflict follows a Houthi offensive that has intensified on multiple fronts, with Saudi airstrikes reportedly increasing on Houthi-controlled areas. The Houthis, in turn, claim Saudi warplanes, particularly F-15s from Khamis Mushait, conducted 26 airstrikes in the Taiz province within a 24-hour period. The humanitarian situation in Yemen is worsening, with over 112,000 people displaced this month.

Concerns are mounting over Saudi Arabia's air defense capabilities, as reports suggest its stock of interceptor missiles is dwindling. Riyadh has reportedly appealed to allies including France, Britain, Pakistan, and Egypt for air defense assistance, as its primary supplier, the United States, faces its own depletion of interceptors due to ongoing conflicts. This comes as Saudi Arabia seeks alternative oil export routes, reportedly transferring oil between ships off the coast of Oman, after a pipeline feeding the Yanbu port was attacked last week.

Amidst the heightened tensions, U.S. officials reportedly met with Houthi representatives in Oman earlier this week. During this meeting, the Houthis allegedly pledged to avoid attacking American or Israeli vessels in the Bab el-Mandeb strait, though they reserved the right to target Saudi shipping. Saudi Arabia also accused the Houthis of launching a drone towards the holy city of Mecca, a claim the Houthis deny, stating it would be a "red line" violation if true.