DID Press: Explosions were heard in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, early Saturday after Saudi authorities issued an air-raid warning for Riyadh and the nearby city of Al-Kharj, amid heightened tensions linked to the conflict in neighboring Yemen.
Residents in Riyadh received an emergency warning shortly before 3:00 a.m. local time, saying the area was under a “hostile aerial threat” and urging people to remain indoors. AFP journalists in the capital subsequently reported hearing two explosions.
Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defense later announced that the danger had passed in Riyadh and Al-Kharj, urging residents to continue following official safety instructions. Authorities had earlier advised people to stay away from open areas, windows, balconies and rooftops while the warning was in effect.
The nature of the threat has not been officially specified. The alerts came amid a recent increase in attacks by Iran-aligned Ansarullah forces in Yemen against targets in Saudi Arabia. Saudi authorities have reported a series of drone and missile-related incidents in several parts of the country in recent days.
The latest warning marks the first reported air-raid alert affecting Riyadh since fighting in Yemen intensified in July. The escalation has raised concerns over the security of Saudi territory, energy infrastructure and vital maritime routes in the region.
There was no immediate official confirmation that a missile had struck Riyadh, and reports circulating about a direct missile impact remain unverified. Saudi authorities have so far confirmed that only an aerial threat warning was issued and subsequently lifted.