Saudi civil defense sends all-clear after alerts issued for Riyadh in first since Houthi escalation

Saudi civil defense issued and subsequently cleared alerts for potential danger in Riyadh and Al-Kharj on Saturday, marking the first such alerts for the capital since Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia intensified. A Reuters journalist reported hearing two booms in Riyadh. This occurred hours after the Houthis' military spokesperson claimed to have thwarted "criminal attempts" in Sanaa, attributing them to Saudi Arabia and promising retaliation. The Iran-backed Houthis, who control significant parts of Yemen, have been conducting attacks against Saudi Arabia since July, including strikes on Saudi vessels in the Red Sea. The UN Security Council on Friday "condemned in the strongest terms continued Houthi attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," including those affecting civilian and energy infrastructure, and also condemned "Houthi military escalation in Yemen."