At least eight explosions were heard in the Saudi capital Riyadh after the Iran-backed Houthi movement reported an initial toll of 12 citizens killed in strikes on residential areas of western Yemen blamed on Saudi Arabia, following the collapse of a fragile truce in July; more than 1,600 people have been killed in Yemen since hostilities resumed, according to United Nations figures.
Reporters in Riyadh heard at least eight blasts as authorities warned the city was "under a hostile aerial threat" in a phone alert. Saudi civil defence issued warnings for "potential danger" in Riyadh, Kharj and the southern city of Najran, before they were lifted shortly afterwards.
The Houthi health ministry said in a statement shared by the group's Saba news agency: "As an initial toll, 12 citizens were killed and three others were critically injured." The group blamed Saudi Arabia for strikes on residential areas of western Yemen.
The Houthis and the Saudi-backed, internationally recognised Yemeni government have exchanged daily attacks since a years-long truce broke down over the summer. The Houthis have ramped up strikes on Saudi territory, including deadly strikes on Riyadh airport that forced its closure for two weeks as flagship events were cancelled, threatening the kingdom's economic diversification plans.
Yesterday, at least 14 people were killed in what the Houthis said were Saudi strikes on a petrol station and market, while the group targeted the airport in the government stronghold of Aden, wounding civilians.
According to United Nations figures, more than 1,600 people have been killed in Yemen since hostilities resumed, with more than 275,000 displaced. The 2022 truce collapsed in July after the Houthis allowed an Iranian plane to land in the capital Sanaa, defying Saudi control over Yemeni airspace and triggering a spate of attacks. The Houthis later declared a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia and seized Yemen's entire Red Sea coast in a lightning campaign.
Yemen has been mired in war since 2014, when the Houthis seized the capital; a Saudi-led coalition entered the conflict a year later in support of the internationally recognised government.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The strikes on Riyadh represent a direct threat to the Saudi capital, potentially disrupting the kingdom's economic diversification plans and regional stability.
- Over 1,600 people have been killed and 275,000 displaced since the truce collapsed, with no end in sight to the humanitarian crisis.
- The conflict risks drawing in regional powers more deeply, as Iran backs the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition faces renewed pressure.
Background
Yemen's civil war began in 2014 when Houthi forces seized the capital Sanaa. A Saudi-led military coalition intervened in 2015 to support the internationally recognised government. A UN-brokered truce held from 2022 until it unravelled in July 2024 when the Houthis allowed an Iranian plane to land in Sanaa in defiance of Saudi airspace control. The Houthis have since escalated attacks on Saudi territory, including a strike on Riyadh airport that shut it for two weeks, and have declared a maritime blockade of the kingdom.
Key Perspectives
Houthi movement: Claims the Saudi airstrike killed 12 civilians in western Yemen and has escalated attacks on Saudi territory, including the reported explosion in Riyadh, in response to continued Saudi operations.
Saudi Arabia: Issued civil defence warnings to residents and lifted them after the threat passed; has not commented directly on the Houthi claims. The Saudi-led coalition continues airstrikes in Yemen.
What to Watch
- Whether Saudi Arabia acknowledges the nature of the explosions and any retaliation.
- The fate of the Riyadh airport: its earlier closure forced economic disruption, and further threats could rattle investor confidence.
- UN and international diplomatic efforts to restore the truce, which appear stalled.
Checked
11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.
Show each claim
- Partly supportedExplosions in Riyadh came after the Houthis reported 12 killed.RTÉ News: “Blasts in Riyadh after Saudi strike kills 12 - Houthis.”
- SupportedThe Houthi health ministry said, “As an initial toll, 12 citizens were killed and three others were critically injured.”RTÉ News: ““As an initial toll, 12 citizens were killed and three others were critically injured,” the Houthi health ministry said in a statement today shared by the group's Saba news agency.”
- SupportedSaudi authorities warned Riyadh that it was “under a hostile aerial threat”.RTÉ News: “In the Saudi capital, reporters heard at least eight explosions as authorities warned the city was "under a hostile aerial threat" in a phone alert.”
- SupportedA years-long truce fell apart over the summer.RTÉ News: “The Iran-backed Houthis reported deadly strikes on residential areas of western Yemen, blamed on their Saudi foe, while explosions later rocked Riyadh, weeks into intensified violence. The Houthis and the Saudi-backed, internationally recognised Yemeni government have exchanged daily attacks since a years-long truce fell apart over the summer.”
- SupportedThe Houthis reported an initial toll of 12 killed in strikes on residential areas of western Yemen that they blamed on Saudi Arabia.RTÉ News: “The Iran-backed Houthis reported deadly strikes on residential areas of western Yemen, blamed on their Saudi foe”
- SupportedReporters heard at least eight explosions in Riyadh.RTÉ News: “In the Saudi capital, reporters heard at least eight explosions”
- SupportedMore than 1,600 people have been killed in Yemen since hostilities resumed, according to United Nations figures.RTÉ News: “More than 1,600 people have been killed in Yemen since hostilities resumed, with more than 275,000 displaced, according to United Nations figures.”
- SupportedThe Houthis and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government have exchanged daily attacks since the truce broke down over the summer.RTÉ News: “The Houthis and the Saudi-backed, internationally recognised Yemeni government have exchanged daily attacks since a years-long truce fell apart over the summer.”
- SupportedSaudi civil defence issued warnings for Riyadh, Kharj and Najran, which were lifted shortly afterwards.RTÉ News: “Saudi civil defence issued warnings for "potential danger" in Riyadh, Kharj and the southern city of Najran that were lifted shortly afterwards.”
- SupportedAt least 14 people were killed in Saudi strikes on a petrol station and market, according to the Houthis.RTÉ News: “Yesterday, at least 14 people were killed in Saudi strikes on a petrol station and market, according to the Houthis”
- SupportedThe 2022 truce fell apart in July after the Houthis allowed an Iranian plane to land in Sanaa, defying Saudi control over Yemeni airspace.RTÉ News: “In July, a fragile 2022 truce fell apart after the Houthis allowed an Iranian plane to land in Yemen's capital Sanaa in defiance of Saudi control over Yemeni airspace, setting off a spate of attacks.”