Saudi Arabia Sounds Air-Raid Alerts in Riyadh as Attacks Resume
Saudi early-warning sirens sounded twice in Riyadh early Saturday, the first such alerts since the spring, as renewed strikes threaten oil exports and investment plans.
Saudi Arabia's early-warning system issued emergency alerts for residents of Riyadh in the early hours of Saturday, the first such warnings in the capital since the peak of the US-Iran conflict in March and April.
The alerts were broadcast at 4 a.m. and again at 6 a.m., with no further details provided. The Saudi civil defence said the danger had passed shortly after each warning.
Similar overnight warnings were reported in other parts of the kingdom, including the Red Sea cities of Jeddah and Yanbu, as well as Farasan Island in the Red Sea.
The alerts follow a renewed wave of attacks on Saudi territory this month. The Houthis, an Iran-backed group based in Yemen, have targeted western towns and energy infrastructure. Last week, the Saudi government said a drone attack launched from Iraq — home to several pro-Tehran militias — forced the shutdown of the vital East-West pipeline.
The pipeline strike, combined with Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has caused Saudi oil exports to plunge. The renewed hostilities now threaten the kingdom's efforts to attract foreign investment and tourists as part of its economic diversification drive.
Next month, Riyadh is scheduled to host the Future Investment Initiative, Saudi Arabia's flagship investment conference. This year's edition is expected to draw prominent Wall Street figures, including JPMorgan Chase chief executive Jamie Dimon and Goldman Sachs chief executive David Solomon.
The developments pose a further challenge for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto ruler.