**Explosions Rock Saudi Capital Amid Escalating Tensions with Houthis**
Several explosions were reported in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, early on Saturday, triggering air raid warnings and disrupting flights. This incident comes amid heightened hostilities between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthi movement, which has escalated since July.
Saudi authorities issued emergency alerts warning residents of a "hostile aerial threat," advising them to stay indoors as explosions were heard across the city. The civil defense agency later declared an all-clear approximately thirty minutes after the initial alerts. This marked the first air raid warning in Riyadh since the conflict in Yemen intensified earlier this summer.
Eyewitness reports indicated that a significant plume of black smoke and flames was visible near King Khalid International Airport. Footage captured by Reuters showed smoke emanating from the airport’s fuel-storage area, leading to major delays and cancellations in flight operations, as reported by the flight-tracking service Flightradar24. However, Saudi officials have yet to provide details regarding the cause of the explosions or any potential casualties or damage resulting from the incident.
The recent surge in violence can be traced back to July when Saudi airstrikes on Yemen's Sanaa International Airport effectively ended a fragile truce that had been in place since 2022. This development led to a renewed cycle of attacks between Saudi forces and the Houthis, who control significant portions of northern Yemen.
In recent weeks, the Houthis have made substantial territorial advances, particularly along the Red Sea coast, and have captured strategic positions around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial maritime chokepoint for global shipping. These developments have raised concerns for Saudi Arabia, particularly regarding its oil exports, as the kingdom has increasingly depended on Red Sea routes for shipping due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz caused by ongoing tensions with Iran.
Maritime tracking data has indicated a decline in Saudi oil exports through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait since the escalation of hostilities in July. Despite this, several vessels have successfully navigated the waterway in the past week. The Houthis have claimed that international shipping remains largely unaffected, with the exception of Saudi vessels.
The disruptions to oil supplies have already had an impact on the market. Reports indicate that Saudi Aramco, the state-owned oil giant, has informed European refiners that they will not receive crude oil shipments in October. This development comes as oil prices remain elevated, hovering above $100 per barrel.
As the situation continues to evolve, both regional and international observers are closely monitoring the developments in Saudi Arabia and Yemen, particularly in light of the potential implications for global oil markets and regional stability.