Several powerful blasts were reported across the Saudi capital of Riyadh on Friday, according to Tasnim News, signaling a fresh escalation in hostilities with Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Houthi-affiliated sources claimed that ballistic missiles struck the city for the second consecutive day, following a surge of violence in Yemen that has included targeted air raids and ground combat.

The latest strikes occur after the first coalition aircraft attacks on the Yemeni capital of Sanaa since fighting resumed, along with 27 raids in Taiz that destroyed military vehicles. Saudi defenses also intercepted 2 ballistic missiles in Khamis Mushait and Jizan and destroyed 4 drones over Khamis Mushait. The World Food Programme warned the fighting has left 74% of households in government-held areas unable to meet basic food needs, affecting roughly 10 million people.