Diplomats stationed in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, took refuge in their embassies at the direction of their officials, while international schools also carried out safety measures on Thursday. These actions were taken following the sound of explosions heard throughout the city.
Details of the Explosions and Reactions
The explosions heard in Riyadh occurred hours after the Houthis in Yemen, which borders Saudi Arabia, claimed to have launched new attacks on the country. These Iran-backed forces have initiated a wave of attacks towards Saudi Arabia since the start of a major offensive in Yemen against the internationally recognized government supported by Saudi Arabia.
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Saudi forces and the Yemeni government are attempting to prevent the Houthis' advance, although these efforts have faced difficulties despite counter-offensives to reclaim territory, including vital areas near waterways crucial for global energy flows.
Safety Measures in Riyadh
In Riyadh, which has a large population of non-Saudis, diplomats took refuge in their embassies at the direction of their officials. Meanwhile, residents reported that international schools had taken measures to ensure the safety of students, with at least one school relocating students to the basement.
These safety measures were implemented after the sound of explosions was repeatedly heard in the city, marking one of the most severe disruptions in the region since the onset of the war in the Middle East, which began with U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran in late February.
Two employees at the King Abdullah Financial Center in Riyadh reported to news agencies that some companies were evacuating staff from the area.
Consequences of the Yemen War and Humanitarian Crisis
While the war in Yemen existed before the Iran conflict, it had become nearly stagnant in recent years until the Houthis launched a sudden attack on government forces last month. They have seized vast areas of Yemen, including regions near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which is vital for global shipping and particularly for Saudi oil exports.
In recent weeks, the fighting in Yemen has become the most active front in regional conflicts, with violence frequently shifting throughout the war-torn Middle East. According to United Nations data, these conflicts have displaced over 200,000 Yemeni residents since July.
The Yemeni government claimed to have pushed back these fighters from strategic areas in the Red Sea and the port city of Mokha after announcing a counter-offensive against the Houthis. However, the Houthis insist they maintain control over the seized areas, and military sources from both sides have indicated no significant changes on the battlefield.
In Saudi Arabia, the latest explosions occurred a day after the Houthis claimed to have attacked two international airports and warned airlines to avoid Saudi airspace. In recent attacks, several civilians have lost their lives, and others have been injured.
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