Middle East: Explosions reported in Riyadh as Saudi Arabia faces missile and drone threats

Representational image. File pic

Residents in Saudi Arabia's capital say they have heard new explosions in Riyadh.The residents spoke on condition of anonymity for their safety. One lives in northern Riyadh, where King Khalid International Airport is located.

The source of explosions wasn't immediately clear. The Saudi civil defence reported air raid alerts in Riyadh and Kharj province southeast of the capital. Kharj is home to the state-owned Military Industries Corporation and Prince Sultan Air Base.

The airport in Riyadh has been targeted several times in the past week with deadly attacks. Iran-backed Houthi rebels in neighbouring Yemen have claimed responsibility.

The latest front in the Iran war has seen the Houthis repeatedly target airports, military facilities and oil infrastructure in the kingdom. On Tuesday, a fire broke out in an administrative building at a facility operated by Saudi Aramco, one of the world's largest oil companies, in the latest targeting of the world's top oil exporter.

The Houthis have been warning in advance of attacks on both airports and oil facilities, and airlines have been suspending operations and pulling out planes.

The escalation has highlighted Saudi Arabia's struggle to intercept Houthi missiles and drones, and the kingdom's efforts to press allies like the United States for more military support.

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