Saudi Arabian authorities issued air raid alerts in the capital city of Riyadh on September 19, 2026, following reports of explosions across the city. Residents were later given the all-clear after officials confirmed the immediate danger had passed, though authorities urged the public to avoid gathering in crowds.
Journalists from Reuters and Agence France-Presse reported hearing explosions in the capital prior to the all-clear announcement. The incident marks the first time air raid alerts have been activated in Riyadh since the Houthi movement escalated its military campaign and declared a “maritime embargo” against Saudi Arabia in July.
The military spokesman for the Iran-backed Houthi movement, Yahya Sarea, stated earlier in the week that the group launched drones and missiles toward Saudi targets in response to more than 450 Saudi air strikes conducted against Houthi-controlled territory over the preceding seven days. Houthi leadership maintained that its naval blockade was initiated in retaliation for Saudi Arabia’s ongoing blockade of ports and airports in north-western Yemen.
The escalation comes amidst broader regional supply disruptions. Saudi vessels have depended on Red Sea maritime routes for crude exports following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz during conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Attacks against Saudi energy infrastructure have directly affected global energy markets, contributing to rising petrol and diesel prices internationally.
In response to the escalating strikes, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman requested direct military action against Houthi forces during communications with U.S. President Donald Trump, according to two sources familiar with the matter who spoke to CBS News. Trump declined to deploy U.S. forces directly into military engagements, offering instead to provide intelligence and targeting assistance to Saudi forces.
A senior Trump administration official confirmed to the BBC that the U.S. government remains in “continuous dialogue with Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Yemen government regarding regional stability.”
Yemen has remained in a state of civil conflict since 2014, when Houthi forces ousted the internationally recognized government from the capital city of Sanaa.
Sources
– BBC News World: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cmed7el18dxpo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
Source: BBC News World
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Story synopsis gathered from: BBC News World — source
