Saudi Arabia issues first air raid alerts for Riyadh since Houthis escalated attacks

Residents in Saudi Arabia's Riyadh have been given the all-clear after air raid alerts were issued and explosions were documented in the capital.

Key points

• The United Nations Security Council held an emergency session on Tuesday, during which both Yemen's administration and Saudi Arabia pressed more decisive action against the Houthis.
• When the Houthis ousted the administration from the capital, Sanaa, yemen has been devastated by a civil war that began in 2014.
• A senior Trump administration official informed the BBC: "We are in continuous dialogue with Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Yemen government regarding regional stability."
• The Iran-backed group's military spokesman remarked the naval blockade was in retaliation for a Saudi blockade of ports and airports in Houthi-controlled north-western Yemen.
• Saudi vessels have relied on that stretch of the Red Sea for oil exports since the US and Israel's war with Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz.

It was the first time alerts have been issued in Riyadh since the Houthis rose their attacks and declared a "maritime embargo" on the Saudis in July.

For context, the Saudi Civil Defence sent alerts for the capital and a number of other regions late on Friday night and Saturday morning (local time) as the Kingdom's conflict with the Iran-backed Houthis continued to escalate.

Journalists from Reuters and AFP documented hearing explosions in the capital, but authorities have since stated the danger has passed. Residents were pressed to avoid gathering in crowds.

For context, the Houthis lately seized control of the strategic port city of Mokha and Perim Island, a gateway to a key shipping route employed by the Gulf state to export to Asia and Europe.

For context, the Iran-backed group's military spokesman remarked the naval blockade was in retaliation for a Saudi blockade of ports and airports in Houthi-controlled north-western Yemen.

Last week, the Houthis attacked a number of Saudi oil facilities with drones and missiles, causing fires which led to operations being temporarily halted.

Meanwhile, the attacks on Saudi oil assets have directly impacted global energy markets and the cost of petrol and diesel in numerous countries has sharply risen in recent weeks, compounding already elevated costs caused by the blockades of the Strait of Hormuz.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the country's de facto ruler, has personally asked US President Donald Trump to take military action against the Houthis, two sources familiar with the matter informed CBS News, the BBC's US media partner.

Trump has so far declined to involve the US military directly, offering instead to assist with intelligence and targeting backing, the sources stated.

Meanwhile, a senior Trump administration official informed the BBC: "We are in continuous dialogue with Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Yemen government regarding regional stability."

Earlier this week, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea remarked the Houthis had rolled out drones and missiles at Saudi Arabia in retaliation for more than 450 Saudi air strikes on their territory over the past week.

For context, the United Nations Security Council held an emergency session on Tuesday, during which both Yemen's administration and Saudi Arabia pressed more decisive action against the Houthis. This person they accused of choking the Bab al-Mandab Strait as a way of applying economic pressure.

Council members agreed that freedom of navigation in the Red Sea must be maintained to prevent disruption to global supply chains.

When the Houthis ousted the administration from the capital, Sanaa, yemen has been devastated by a civil war that began in 2014. After the Saudi-led coalition of Arab states intervened in an attempt to restore the government's rule, the conflict escalated in 2015.

For context, the fighting has reportedly left more than 150, 000 individuals dead and triggered one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with more than 22 million residents in need of some form of aid, according to the UN. Extra reporting by Tabby Wilson.

Taken together, the developments around saudi Arabia issues first air raid alerts for Riyadh since Houthis escalated point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.