Middle East Tensions Escalate as Saudi Arabia Warns of Hostile Aerial Threat
Saudi Arabia issued emergency alerts overnight, including one in its capital Riyadh, warning of a 'hostile aerial threat' from Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The alert was the first in Riyadh since the escalation in fighting with the Houthis. Residents near the airport reported seeing a plume of smoke later that morning.
The Houthis claimed to have targeted 'sensitive sites' in Riyadh and facilities of Aramco, the world's largest oil company, in the Red Sea port of Yanbu, causing 'massive fires.' Neither Saudi authorities nor Aramco responded to requests for comment. The Houthi military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said they used cruise and ballistic missiles as well as drones.
In other news, Iran's head of the Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei said his country has sent its conditions for ending the war to Washington via Qatar. He wants an end to all fronts, release of assets seized from Iran, and an end to the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Israeli strikes killed three men in Gaza on Saturday, with one strike hitting a civilian vehicle. Israel's military said it struck 'several military operatives.'