Saudi Arabia Issues First Air Raid Alerts for Riyadh Since July as Houthi Rebels Intensify Attacks
The Houthis, backed by Iran, claimed responsibility for strikes on Saudi oil infrastructure and military bases, while Riyadh vowed a “firm” response.
First Air Raid Alerts in Riyadh Since July
Riyadh’s Civil Defence issued air-raid alerts for the capital for the first time since the Houthis escalated hostilities in July, according to the Saudi Civil Defence. Residents heard explosions and were instructed to stay indoors, though the threat was later withdrawn. The alerts followed a series of Houthi attacks that included dozens of ballistic missiles and drones targeting Khamis Mushait, Abha, and Taif, injuring 13 people. A Khamis Mushait resident described intense blasts that left fires burning for a long time,
adding, Honestly, we couldn't sleep at all.
The Houthis declared a maritime embargo on Saudi Arabia in July, seizing control of Yemen’s Red Sea coast and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. This move, which disrupted global shipping routes, coincided with attacks on Saudi oil facilities, pushing global oil prices above $100 per barrel. The Saudi-led coalition responded with more than 50 strikes, vowing to take all necessary operational measures to deter this hostile and extremist approach,
according to a coalition spokesperson.
Escalation of Houthi Attacks and Saudi Response
The Houthis, an Iran-backed group, claimed a large-scale attack on King Khalid airbase in Khamis Mushait, using dozens of ballistic missiles and drones.
The group also targeted Saudi oil infrastructure, causing temporary operational halts. The coalition’s spokesperson, Major General Turki Al-Maliki, reported 13 civilians injured and damage to seven homes and two vehicles.
Residents in Riyadh received air-raid alerts around 3:00 AM on September 15, according to Reuters and AFP, which reported hearing explosions. The Civil Defence withdrew the alert half an hour later, stating the threat had passed. Authorities urged residents to avoid gatherings and filming, and to call 911 in emergencies. Similar alerts were issued for Jeddah Governorate, Taif Governorate, Abha, Jazan Province, Al Ula Governorate, and Yanbu, with instructions to remain indoors and avoid open areas.
Last week, the Houthis launched attacks using drones and missiles on several Saudi oil facilities, causing fires that temporarily halted operations.
Regional Implications and Humanitarian Impact
The conflict has intensified amid a broader regional stalemate, with the Houthis accusing Saudi Arabia of “aggressionand vowing to
continue and escalate” their response. The Houthis, who seized Sanaa in 2014, have gained territorial control along Yemen’s western coast, strengthening their grip on the Bab al-Mandab Strait—a critical shipping route.
The Saudi-led coalition confirmed missile and drone attacks on Khamis Mushait, with a resident describing “intense blaststhat left fires burning for
a long time.” A Houthi strike in western Yemen on Monday killed eight government soldiers, according to two military sources.
The U.S.-Iran conflict has further complicated the situation, with the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed due to hostilities. Saudi Arabia’s reliance on the Red Sea route for oil exports has made it a target for Houthi attacks. A projectile launched by Yemen’s Houthis landed in Al-Tuwal Governorate in Saudi Arabia’s Jazan region, injuring two people and damaging a mosque, several buildings and vehicles, while the Houthis claimed a new “large-scale” attack using dozens of ballistic missiles and drones
against the King Khalid airbase in Khamis Mushait.
The conflict’s ripple effects extend beyond Yemen, with global energy markets affected by rising oil prices. The Houthis’ maritime embargo and attacks on Saudi oil facilities have disrupted supply chains, while regional tensions with Iran remain unresolved. A proposed meeting between Gulf states and Iran to address Hormuz’s future was postponed, with Tehran accusing Riyadh of using Yemen as a “pretext” to delay talks. The Houthis’ military spokesman stated the naval blockade was in retaliation for the Saudi blockade of Houthi-controlled ports and airports.
Meanwhile, the Saudi Civil Defence issued a brief hostile aerial attack warning for Makkah on September 15, the first such alert for the holy city since the Middle East war began. The warning was quickly lifted, with authorities stating the danger had passed. The alerts came amid a wider escalation in the Saudi-Houthi conflict, which intensified in July after about four years of relative calm following the 2022 UN-brokered truce.