Saudi Arabia issued air raid alerts in Riyadh and several other regions, including Jeddah, Yanbu, and Farasan Island, late on Friday and early Saturday. This marked the first time such alerts were issued in the capital since the Houthis escalated their attacks and declared a "maritime embargo" in July. Residents reported hearing explosions in Riyadh, though authorities later stated the danger had passed. The Houthi military spokesman indicated these attacks were in retaliation for over 450 Saudi airstrikes on their territory in the past week.
The Houthis, an Iran-backed group, have significantly escalated their offensive, seizing control of the strategic port city of Mokha and Perim Island, which is critical for shipping routes. This group also announced a blockade on Saudi shipping in July, further straining global energy routes already impacted by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The attacks have directly affected global energy markets, with petrol and diesel prices rising sharply, compounding existing high costs. Last week, Houthi drones and missiles struck several Saudi oil facilities, causing fires and temporarily halting operations.
In response to these attacks, Saudi Arabia's state oil company informed European refineries that they would not receive crude oil next month, affecting all European customers. This decision follows a Houthi drone strike on Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline last week, which caused damage requiring weeks to repair. The pipeline attack and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz have led to a significant drop in Saudi Arabia's oil exports. These renewed hostilities also threaten the Kingdom's efforts to attract foreign investment and tourists, particularly with the upcoming Future Investment Initiative conference in October.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reportedly asked US President Donald Trump for military intervention against the Houthis, but Trump has so far declined, offering intelligence and targeting support instead. The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting, condemning the Houthi attacks, which they stated risk expanding the conflict and threatening maritime security and international trade. The UN Security Council called for decisive action against the Houthis and emphasized the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation in the Red Sea to prevent disruptions to global supply chains. The conflict has resulted in over 150,000 deaths and triggered one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with more than 22 million people requiring aid.
