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Riyadh Hit by First Air-Raid Alert in Months

By Drooid · Sep 19, 2026, 10:15 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Saudi Civil Defense Alert

Saudi civil defense issued an air-raid alert for Riyadh early Saturday.
The alert warned of a hostile aerial threat shortly before 3 a.m. on 19 September 2026.
Residents heard two explosions in Olaya before the all-clear arrived about thirty minutes later.
It was the first capital alert since Houthi attacks intensified after July’s naval blockade.
The United Nations Security Council condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi civilian and energy infrastructure on Friday.

Summary

U.S. Meets Houthis

U.S. officials met Houthi representatives at the U.S. Embassy in Muscat, Oman over the weekend.
The delegation included sanctioned senior figure Mohammad Abdulsalam and official Abdelmalik al Ajiri.
Houthis pledged not to target U.S. or Israeli vessels, limiting attacks to Saudi ships.
The U.S. State Department declined to confirm the meeting but reiterated protecting Red Sea navigation as a core interest.

Summary

Al-Baqmi Reports Displacement

Planning and International Cooperation Minister Mohammed Al-Baqmi reported nearly 12,600 families displaced across six provinces.
The displaced families urgently need shelter, food and safe water.
Foreign Minister Afrah Al-Zouba met UN and NGOs to discuss humanitarian aid funding gaps.
Aden Governor Abdulrahman Sheikh issued a decision creating a humanitarian response cell for displaced people.
The response cell will assess needs of displaced residents from the western coast and Taiz province.

History

Historical Context

On 26 March 2015 Saudi Arabia launched a coalition air campaign in Yemen at President Hadi’s request, marking the start of Operation Decisive Storm. The strikes destroyed over 130 health facilities and, according to Human Rights Watch, killed 309 civilians in ten attacks. The ensuing Houthi missile retaliation continues, prompting the September 2026 Riyadh air-raid alert and U.S. talks with Houthi leaders in Muscat.

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Saudi Civil Defense Alert

Saudi civil defense issued an air-raid alert for Riyadh early Saturday.
The alert warned of a hostile aerial threat shortly before 3 a.m. on 19 September 2026.
Residents heard two explosions in Olaya before the all-clear arrived about thirty minutes later.
It was the first capital alert since Houthi attacks intensified after July’s naval blockade.
The United Nations Security Council condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi civilian and energy infrastructure on Friday.

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