Saudi Arabia issues first air raid alerts for Riyadh since Houthis escalated attacks

Residents in Saudi Arabia's Riyadh have been given the all-clear after air raid alerts were issued and explosions were reported in the capital.

It was the first time alerts have been issued in Riyadh since the Houthis increased their attacks and declared a "maritime embargo" on the Saudis in July.

The Saudi Civil Defence sent alerts for the capital and several other regions late on Friday night and Saturday morning (local time) as the Kingdom's conflict with the Iran-backed Houthis continued to escalate.

Journalists from Reuters and AFP reported hearing explosions in the capital, but authorities have since said the danger has passed. Residents were urged to avoid gathering in crowds.

The Houthis recently seized control of the strategic port city of Mokha and Perim Island, a gateway to a key shipping route used by the Gulf state to export to Asia and Europe.

The Iran-backed group's military spokesman said the naval blockade was in retaliation for a Saudi blockade of ports and airports in Houthi-controlled north-western Yemen.

Saudi vessels have relied on that stretch of the Red Sea for oil exports since the US and Israel's war with Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz.

Last week, the Houthis attacked several Saudi oil facilities with drones and missiles, causing fires which led to operations being temporarily halted.