“The first targeted sensitive sites in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and the second targeted Aramco facilities in Yanbu.”

RIYADH: Yemen’s Houthi group has claimed responsibility for missile and drone attacks targeting sites in Saudi Arabia, including what it described as “sensitive sites” in the capital Riyadh and facilities belonging to Saudi oil giant Aramco in Yanbu.

The claim came on Saturday after Saudi authorities issued an overnight air raid warning for Riyadh and nearby Al-Kharj. Residents also reported hearing explosions in parts of the Saudi capital.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group carried out two separate operations using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones.

According to Saree, the first operation targeted “sensitive sites” in Riyadh, while the second targeted Aramco facilities in the Red Sea port city of Yanbu.

The Houthis said the attacks were carried out in response to what they described as Saudi military operations against the Yemeni capital, Sanaa.

Smoke and Fire Seen Near Riyadh Airport

The Houthi statement followed reports of a fire near King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.

AFP journalists reported seeing flames and a large column of black smoke near a fuel storage facility. An Aramco-branded fuel tank was reportedly on fire, while firefighters worked to control the blaze.

Residents also reported hearing explosions in the capital. FlightRadar24 reported major disruption at Riyadh airport, including delays and cancellations, although normal flight operations later began to resume.

Saudi authorities later issued an all-clear after the overnight air raid warning. Saudi officials had not immediately confirmed that the fire or explosions were caused by the Houthi attacks, and Riyadh had not publicly confirmed the group’s claims.

Why Are the Houthis and Saudi Arabia Fighting?

Tensions between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia have sharply increased since fighting intensified in Yemen in July.

The Houthis have expanded their control over parts of Yemen, including large areas along the Red Sea coast. The internationally recognised Yemeni government, which is supported by Saudi Arabia, has been fighting to respond to the Houthi advance.

The Houthis have also launched attacks against Saudi targets and shipping in the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, has carried out airstrikes against Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.

The latest escalation has raised concerns because Saudi energy infrastructure and shipping routes are becoming increasingly exposed to the conflict.

Growing Risk to Energy Infrastructure

Yanbu is particularly important because it is a major Saudi industrial and oil-export centre on the Red Sea.

The Houthis’ claim of targeting Aramco facilities there comes amid wider attacks on Saudi energy infrastructure. Any prolonged disruption to major oil facilities or shipping routes could have consequences beyond Yemen and Saudi Arabia.

The United Nations Security Council has also condemned continued Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including attacks affecting civilian and energy infrastructure.

Regional Security Concerns

The latest attacks add another layer to an already unstable security situation across the Middle East.

For Saudi Arabia, the immediate concern is preventing missile and drone attacks from reaching major cities, airports and energy facilities. For the wider region, continued fighting could create further pressure on Red Sea shipping and global energy supplies.

For now, the Houthi claims regarding the specific targets and damage in Riyadh and Yanbu have not been fully confirmed by Saudi authorities. However, the air raid warnings, explosions and fire near Riyadh airport show that the security situation remains serious.

The coming days will be important in determining whether the latest exchange remains limited or develops into a wider and more sustained confrontation between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia.