Residents in Riyadh received air raid alerts and heard explosions late Friday night and Saturday morning local time, with authorities subsequently declaring the situation safe. The alerts marked the first issued in the capital since the Iran-backed Houthis intensified their military campaign against Saudi Arabia and announced a naval blockade.
The Houthis recently secured control of the strategic port of Mokha and Perim Island, positions that provide leverage over a critical shipping corridor essential for Gulf exports to Asia and Europe. The group’s military leadership characterized the naval blockade as a response to Saudi restrictions on ports and airports in Houthi-controlled areas of northwestern Yemen. Saudi oil shipments have increasingly relied on Red Sea routes since broader regional tensions affected alternative shipping pathways.
Recent Houthi drone and missile strikes on Saudi oil infrastructure caused temporary operational disruptions and fires at multiple facilities. These attacks have reverberated through global energy markets, with petroleum and diesel prices rising sharply in numerous countries in recent weeks, compounding inflationary pressures from existing regional blockades.
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has directly appealed to US President Donald Trump for military intervention against the Houthis, according to sources familiar with the discussions. Trump has declined direct military involvement but indicated willingness to provide intelligence and targeting assistance. A senior Trump administration official stated the United States maintains ongoing dialogue with both Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s government regarding regional security.
The United Nations Security Council convened for emergency discussions earlier this week, where Yemen’s government and Saudi Arabia pressed for stronger action against the Houthis. Council members reaffirmed the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation in the Red Sea to protect global supply chains. The broader Yemen conflict, which began in 2014 and intensified following Saudi-led coalition intervention in 2015, has resulted in significant casualties and a severe humanitarian emergency affecting millions of civilians.
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