The Houthi rebel group has launched a missile attack on Riyadh, marking the first time the capital has been directly targeted since the long-running conflict intensified once again. A Saudi military spokesperson confirmed that air defense forces intercepted a ballistic missile in the early hours of Saturday, September 19th. Residents in the capital reported hearing loud explosions during the attack, with smoke visible near the main airport, though authorities have not yet reported any damage from the incident.
This strike on Riyadh and other Saudi cities highlights the persistent security threat posed by the Houthis. In a statement, the group claimed its forces targeted the capital as well as the Red Sea port of Yanbu, which hosts critical oil infrastructure, asserting that the attacks had "ignited fires at the target locations." The Saudi government had already issued air threat alerts for the second-largest city of Jeddah and six other urban centers on Friday night. The military spokesperson added that the rebels also struck Taif, Baysh, and the Red Sea island of Farasan.
Following the latest wave of attacks, the United States issued a fresh travel advisory, urging its citizens to "exercise caution and be aware of possible flight cancellations, airspace closures, and various travel disruptions." Over the past ten days, the Houthis have escalated their assaults on Saudi territory while making rapid advances southward along Yemen's Red Sea coast, tightening their grip on the strategically vital Bab el-Mandeb strait, a critical international shipping route.
Saudi officials report that missile and drone attacks this month have wounded dozens of people and forced the suspension of some oil operations in the kingdom's southern regions. Additionally, a drone strike originating from Iraq this month—where Iran-backed Shiite militias and the Revolutionary Guard are active—compelled Saudi state oil giant Saudi Aramco to shut down a pipeline that transports crude from the east to the Yanbu terminal. The series of attacks has driven oil prices to their highest levels since mid-May.
The current crisis traces back to 2015, when Saudi Arabia intervened in Yemen's civil war after the Houthis seized the capital, Sana'a, and ousted the internationally recognized government, leading a coalition of Arab states against the rebels. A ceasefire agreement reached in 2022 largely held until July, when the Houthis declared a blockade on Saudi ports and attacked tankers. Since then, the group has launched offensives against Saudi-backed Yemeni factions, advancing toward the Bab el-Mandeb strait.
With Iran threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz amid tensions with the United States, the Bab el-Mandeb has become a vital corridor for Saudi oil exports. Analysts note that the Houthis, who receive weapons and technical support from Iran, have significantly upgraded their military capabilities in recent years. The rebels are demanding concessions from Riyadh, including the payment of salaries in Houthi-controlled areas, a share of Yemen's oil revenue for the armed factions, and unrestricted access to ports and airports under their control.
The escalating Houthi offensive also serves Iran's interests in pressuring global energy prices during its standoff with Washington. The Houthis accuse Saudi Arabia of conducting over 300 airstrikes in Yemen over the past week, while Saudi-backed forces attempt to repel the rebel advance along the Red Sea coast.
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