Riyadh: Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh, has reportedly witnessed multiple powerful explosions amid escalating tensions between Saudi forces and Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The explosions were reported shortly after Saudi Civil Defence issued a warning. According to Reuters, a building belonging to Saudi Aramco, the world's largest oil company, was damaged in the incident.

The Saudi-led military coalition said Riyadh and southern Saudi regions were targeted in the attacks. Saudi military authorities reportedly intercepted and destroyed four Houthi missiles, including two cruise missiles, before they could reach their intended targets.

Houthis Claim Missile and Drone Attacks

Yemen's Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and oil installations in Saudi Arabia using missiles and drones.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree announced that six military operations had been launched against major Saudi military and strategic installations.

According to the spokesperson, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones were deployed during the operations. Saree described the offensive as retaliation for Saudi military actions against Yemen and warned that further attacks could follow.

Six Targets Identified by Houthis

The Houthis claimed that their operations targeted six strategic locations across Saudi Arabia.

First Operation: King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, oil storage tanks and an Aramco distillation tower were reportedly targeted.

Second Operation: An Aramco facility in Khurais was targeted.

Third Operation: Pumping Station No. 8 in the Dawadmi region was reportedly attacked.

Fourth Operation: Saudi military personnel stationed at a National Guard camp in Najran were targeted.

Fifth Operation: The eastern region of Al-Jouf was reportedly targeted.

Sixth Operation: Saudi military positions in Marib were allegedly attacked, according to the Houthi spokesperson.

The Houthis also claimed that several Saudi soldiers were killed in the attacks. However, Saudi authorities have not officially confirmed these casualty claims.

Houthis Threaten More Attacks

The Houthi rebels have warned that the latest offensive would not be their final operation against Saudi Arabia.

In a post on social media platform X, military spokesperson Yahya Saree accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out extensive airstrikes across Yemen.

He claimed that 105 airstrikes were conducted in the past 24 hours across several Yemeni regions, including Sana'a, Al-Jawf, Taiz, Saada and Marib.

Saree further alleged that Saudi forces had carried out 4,369 attacks since the escalation of the conflict. He claimed that several civilians had been killed in the strikes and warned that the Houthis would respond proportionately to Saudi military actions.

These figures and allegations have not been independently verified.

Yemen Appeals to Lebanon Over Hezbollah's Alleged Weapons Supply

Meanwhile, Yemen's internationally recognised government has reportedly urged Lebanon to prevent Hezbollah from supplying weapons to the Houthi rebels.

Yemen's Foreign Minister Afrah Al-Zouba has called on Lebanon to cooperate in stopping alleged arms transfers to the Houthis by Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant organisation.

The minister also reportedly called for greater coordination between the intelligence agencies of the two countries to prevent weapons supplies.

Saudi-Houthi Conflict Escalates

The latest developments signal a further escalation in tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi rebels, raising concerns over regional security and the safety of critical oil infrastructure.

With the Houthis threatening additional military operations and Saudi Arabia maintaining its defensive response, the situation remains tense across the region.