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A loud explosion was heard in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, on Sunday, shortly after the country’s Civil Defence Authority issued an early warning over a possible attack, a witness said.
The incident comes amid rising tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence Authority later announced that the danger had passed.
The development follows Saudi airstrikes on a village near Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, on Saturday, which reportedly killed at least 33 people and injured 39 others, according to the Houthi-run Health Ministry.
The Houthi-run Saba news agency said the strikes targeted residential homes in the Bani Hushaysh district, east of Sanaa. Most of the victims were reportedly women and children.
Reuters could not independently verify the Houthi claims. Saudi Arabia’s Centre for International Communication said it was investigating the incident.
Houthis claim six attacks on Saudi airports and oil facilities
The latest developments come amid renewed hostilities between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, reportedly triggered in July by the impact of the US war against Iran.
The renewed conflict has effectively undermined the UN-mediated truce agreed in 2022.
Since then, the Houthis have continued missile and drone attacks on Saudi airports and oil facilities, while Riyadh has carried out airstrikes in Yemen in support of its allies in the internationally recognised government.
