Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, has issued its first airstrike warning since the resumption of hostilities in Yemen. This warning was issued following explosions heard in the capital on Saturday morning, and residents have been advised to stay indoors.
Background of the Hostilities in Yemen
The hostilities in Yemen have resumed since July of last year with the revival of the country's civil war. The Houthi group, supported by Iran, has been fighting against the Yemeni government forces backed by Saudi Arabia, during which they have announced a maritime blockade of Riyadh and targeted Saudi ships in the Red Sea.
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This is the first time that hostilities have reached the capital of Saudi Arabia, raising concerns about the stability of the country. In this context, Riyadh accused the Houthi group last Wednesday of targeting Mecca, calling it a "cowardly terrorist attack" on the holy city of Islam, which hosts millions of pilgrims each year.
Reactions and Consequences
The Houthi group has strongly denied this accusation, labeling it a "worn-out lie." Meanwhile, the United States has responded negatively to Saudi Arabia's request to strike the Houthis and has greenlighted the sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Riyadh worth $24.3 billion. According to the U.S. State Department, this sale is intended to assist Saudi Arabia in "deterring current and future threats."
The airstrike warning sent to Riyadh residents stated that "the area is under threat of hostile air attacks" and advised residents to stay indoors. However, Saudi officials have not yet commented on these threats and their source.
As hostilities in Yemen continue to escalate and Riyadh seeks to bolster its defenses, concerns about rising tensions in the region remain high. This situation will also impact regional and international markets and could affect oil prices and other essential commodities.
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