New Delhi: Saudi Arabia issued an emergency warning over potential danger in Riyadh and Al-Kharj early Saturday amid intensifying Houthi tension against the kingdom, with Saudi Civil Defence later announcing that the danger had passed. The warning came as Houthi attacks on Saudi territory and Saudi-linked shipping in the Red Sea continued to raise concerns over wider regional escalation.
The warning came hours after the Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, said the group had foiled what he described as “criminal attempts” in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, blamed Saudi Arabia and threatened a response. The latest alert was also the first for Riyadh since the Houthis intensified their attacks on Saudi territory.
According to a Reuters report, two booms were heard in Riyadh’s Olaya area after the alerts were issued, although Saudi authorities have not specified what triggered the warnings. Saudi Civil Defence later said the danger had passed in both Riyadh and Al-Kharj, and urged residents to continue following its instructions and to avoid gathering or filming.
The escalation follows a series of Houthi drone and missile attacks against Saudi Arabia in recent days. Saudi air defence has intercepted several threats, including a Houthi drone near Mecca earlier this week, while debris from another intercepted drone fell in Taif on Thursday, killing one person and injuring two others.
The Houthis have also declared a naval blockade targeting Saudi vessels in the Red Sea, while their growing presence along Yemen’s Red Sea coast has raised concerns around the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
The group’s activities have put pressure on Saudi shipping and energy interests as Riyadh faces attacks on its territory and infrastructure. The wider maritime threat is particularly significant because the Red Sea route provides an alternative pathway for Saudi oil exports when shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted.
Makkah Defence Alliance faces new pressure
The latest escalation also brings Saudi Arabia’s newly signed Makkah Defence Alliance with Pakistan and Türkiye into the spotlight. Pakistan’s defence minister, Khawaja Asif, had earlier said Islamabad would fulfil its duty under the agreement if the territorial integrity or geographical boundaries of a partner were violated, while keeping details of any possible military response confidential, RNA Media reported.
His remarks followed the Saudi interception of a drone south of Mecca, which the Houthis later denied. Pakistan has not announced any military deployment to Saudi Arabia following Saturday’s alerts. Its latest position at the United Nations has instead focused on condemning Houthi attacks on merchant shipping and calling for the restoration of safe navigation through the Bab el-Mandeb and other strategic waterways.
Trump keeps US out of direct Houthi war
The US president, Donald Trump, has also made Washington’s position on the Saudi-Houthi conflict clear. As earlier reported by RNA Media, the Trump administration has indicated that it does not plan to enter the conflict directly, after Houthi representatives conveyed to US officials that they would not target American vessels.
The distinction between American and Saudi interests has become increasingly important as Washington seeks to protect its own vessels without committing US forces to direct confrontation with the Houthis.
At the same time, the US has moved to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s military capabilities. The Trump administration has approved a proposed $24.3 billion package for up to 48 F-35 fighter jets for Riyadh, alongside engines, weapons-related equipment, training and other support, as Saudi Arabia faces a growing aerial and maritime threat.
The proposed F-35 sale would give Saudi Arabia access to the most advanced US fighter aircraft, and comes as the kingdom deals with simultaneous pressure from Houthi attacks, threats to maritime routes and wider instability across the region. The latest Riyadh and Al-Kharj warnings therefore add another layer to the question of how Saudi Arabia’s security partners, including Pakistan and Türkiye under the Makkah pact, will respond if Houthi tensions continue to escalate.