Riyadh: Multiple loud booms were heard in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, shortly after Civil Defence issued an early-warning alert about a potential threat on Sunday, November 8, according to a Reuters witness.

The National Early Warning Platform issued emergency alerts in Riyadh and Najran, urging residents to remain calm and follow safety instructions.

Riyadh targeted twice as Saudi Arabia intercepts Houthi threats. 

In posts on X, Saudi Civil Defence advised residents to move to the nearest safe place, preferably inside a building or an interior room away from windows.

People were also told to stay away from balconies, rooftops and open areas, avoid gatherings and refrain from filming.

Motorists who received the alerts were instructed to pull over away from bridges and high-rise buildings.

Later, Civil Defence announced that the danger had also passed in Riyadh and Najran, while urging residents to continue following official safety instructions.

Earlier, warnings had also been issued for Buqayq Governorate, Al Ahsa Governorate and Dammam City in the Eastern Province. 

Civil Defence subsequently announced that the danger had passed in these areas.

Emergency services can be reached on 911 in Riyadh and 998 in Najran.

Saudi-led Coalition spokesperson Brigadier General Turki Al-Malki announced in posts on X that air defence systems had intercepted and destroyed two cruise missiles in the Riyadh and southern regions. 

He also reported that a ballistic missile launched towards the Eastern Province by Yemen’s Houthi militia had been intercepted and destroyed.

Several witnesses told AFP that Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) had been targeted, with an Aramco tower sustaining damage. 

One witness confirmed the tower had been hit, while two others reported seeing damage to the building.

In a statement posted on X, an official at the Ministry of Energy said an administrative building belonging to Saudi Aramco in Riyadh had been targeted in an attempted attack on Sunday. 

Shrapnel fell on the building, causing limited damage, but no injuries or fatalities were reported.

The source added that the relevant authorities had responded to the incident and taken the necessary measures.

This came amid continued missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement on Saudi Arabia. 

The group controls Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, and several other parts of the country.