Several loud explosions were heard in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, on Sunday, November 8, shortly after the country’s Civil Defence issued an early-warning alert over a potential threat, Reuters reported, citing a witness.
Witnesses told AFP that the city’s King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) had been targeted. An Aramco tower in the district was reportedly damaged, with one witness confirming that the building had been hit and two others reporting visible damage.
Emergency alerts were also issued in Riyadh and Najran through Saudi Arabia’s National Early Warning Platform, asking residents to remain calm and follow official safety instructions.
In a series of posts on X, Saudi Civil Defence urged people to seek shelter in the nearest safe location, preferably inside a building or an interior room away from windows. Residents were also advised to avoid balconies, rooftops and open spaces, stay away from gatherings and refrain from recording or photographing the incident.
Motorists receiving the alerts were instructed to pull over at a safe distance from bridges and high-rise buildings.
Civil Defence later announced that the immediate danger had passed in Riyadh and Najran, while asking residents to continue complying with safety advisories.
Earlier warnings had also been issued in Buqayq and Al Ahsa governorates and Dammam city in the Eastern Province. Authorities subsequently declared the threat over in these locations as well.
Meanwhile, Saudi-led Coalition spokesperson Brigadier General Turki Al-Malki said in posts on X that air defence systems had intercepted and destroyed two cruise missiles targeting Riyadh and the southern regions. He also confirmed the interception and destruction of a ballistic missile launched towards the Eastern Province by Yemen’s Houthi movement.
The latest interceptions come amid continued missile and drone attacks by the Houthis targeting Saudi Arabia. The movement, which controls Yemen’s capital Sanaa and several other parts of the country, has been involved in a prolonged conflict with the Saudi-led coalition.
