US-Iran War, Houthi: We are not at war with Italy, but your planes are in Saudi Arabia Large explosion in Riyadh: chaos at the international airport

In a major escalation of hostilities, Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed they launched a series of missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh, and its oil facilities. According to the Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, the attacks targeted "sensitive sites" in Riyadh and facilities belonging to the Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Aramco, in the coastal city of Yanbu. The attacks occurred following explosions reported overnight in Riyadh, with reports indicating chaos at the international airport. The Houthi military claimed the attacks were in response to what they described as ongoing aggression by Saudi forces. They stated that the operations involved a large number of ballistic and cruise missiles, along with drones. The Houthi government official, Muhammad Mansur, addressed concerns raised by Italian authorities regarding the presence of Italian aircraft in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing that the Houthi movement is not at war with Italy and does not wish to involve the country in the conflict. Meanwhile, Iran's security chief, Moshen Rezaei, stated that Tehran has submitted conditions to the United States aimed at ending the conflict. These conditions reportedly include an end to the war, lifting of the naval blockade, and unfreezing Iranian assets. Rezaei added that he expects a response from U.S. President Donald Trump and warned that Iran is prepared for a decisive confrontation should it face further aggression. The attacks on Riyadh mark the first known direct targeting of the Saudi capital since the escalation in hostilities involving the Houthi rebels. Saudi Arabia confirmed that Houthi rebels attempted to attack its capital using a ballistic missile, which was intercepted. The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthi rebels stated that the attempt took place early on Saturday morning. Although there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage, some residents in Riyadh reported hearing an explosion and seeing a plume of smoke near the airport. The Houthi attacks have intensified in recent weeks, disrupting critical oil infrastructure and raising alarms about potential threats to global energy supplies. The Houthi military spokesperson attributed the attacks to retaliation for over 700 Saudi airstrikes in Yemen, although Saudi Arabia has not acknowledged conducting such airstrikes recently. Instead, Saudi officials typically attribute airstrikes to the Yemeni government backed by Saudi Arabia. Since 2015, Saudi Arabia has led a bombing campaign aimed at routing the Houthi rebels but has failed to dislodge them from power, resulting in a fragmented control situation in Yemen. A truce reached in 2022 has unraveled amidst worsening fighting in recent months, with the Houthi rebels seeking to gain strategic territory in Yemen and enforcing a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea. The attacks on Riyadh represent a significant escalation in the conflict, according to experts. The Houthi claims of attacking sensitive sites in the Saudi capital and oil facilities underscore the growing intensity of the conflict and the potential impact on regional stability. As tensions continue to rise, the international community watches closely for developments that could lead to further escalation or attempts at de-escalation.