Explosions heard in Saudi capital Riyadh as air defence alerts issued

Riyadh, September 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)

Explosions were heard in Saudi Arabia’s capital Riyadh early Saturday, with residents receiving air defence alerts on their mobile devices amid heightened security concerns.

The Saudi Directorate of Civil Defence later said the danger had passed in Riyadh and Al-Kharj, while urging residents to continue following official instructions and avoid gathering or filming the incidents.

Earlier, the National Early Warning Platform had issued an emergency alert for Al-Kharj Governorate, warning residents of a potential danger.

The latest incident comes days after a drone intercepted by Saudi air defences fell in Taif in western Saudi Arabia, killing one person and injuring two others. Saudi Civil Defence said debris from the destroyed drone fell in the city on Thursday.

According to a Civil Defence spokesperson, the incident killed a Yemeni resident and injured a Saudi woman and a Pakistani resident, who was reported to be in critical condition. Several buildings and vehicles also suffered material damage.

The drone was reportedly launched by the Houthi group, which has been involved in attacks and military exchanges across the region.

Meanwhile, Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported that Saudi airstrikes targeted several areas in northwestern and southwestern Yemen. In Hajjah province, two strikes hit the city of Abs, reportedly killing one person and injuring another. The strikes also destroyed four vehicles and damaged a house.

The broadcaster further reported that separate Saudi strikes targeted three telecommunications towers in Taiz province. There was no immediate comment from Saudi authorities on the reported strikes or the casualties.

The Houthis had on Wednesday claimed that they shot down a Saudi armed reconnaissance drone in Yemen’s northeastern Marib province and intercepted Saudi warplanes over Yemen’s western coast.

On Tuesday, the Royal Saudi Air Defence Forces said they intercepted and destroyed a hostile drone launched by the Houthis before it entered prohibited airspace near Mecca.