Flames and a plume of black smoke were seen near Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport on Saturday after Saudi Arabia issued overnight air-raid alerts. The Houthis claimed responsibility for attacks on the capital.
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Key facts
- Flames and black smoke were seen rising above Riyadh airport on Saturday.
- Saudi authorities sent air-raid alerts to citizens by phone overnight warning of aerial attacks.
- A burning fuel tank bearing the Aramco logo was reported near King Khalid International Airport.
- Warnings were also issued for Jeddah and Yanbu, a major industrial port and oil hub.
- The Houthis claimed responsibility for attacks on the Saudi capital, according to CNBC and the BBC.
Flames and a large plume of black smoke were seen rising above Riyadh airport in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, according to the Guardian, after the government sent air-raid alerts to citizens by phone overnight warning of aerial attacks.
Explosions were heard in the capital as firefighters battled to extinguish the flames of a burning fuel tank emblazoned with the logo of the Saudi oil company Aramco near the city’s King Khalid International Airport, the Guardian reported.
Authorities also issued warnings for Jeddah and for Yanbu, described by the Guardian as a major industrial port and home to vital oil facilities.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for attacks on the Saudi capital, according to CNBC and the BBC. CNBC said the alerts came amid an escalation in attacks by the Houthis in the kingdom.
The BBC reported that the King Khalid International Airport incident caused hours of flight disruptions and comes amid an escalating conflict with Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The available reporting did not detail casualties or the full extent of damage from the incident.
Why it matters
Riyadh is Saudi Arabia's capital and a major aviation hub, so attacks affecting its airport and oil infrastructure carry significant economic and security implications. Warnings extending to Jeddah and the oil port of Yanbu point to a broader escalation in the conflict with Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Frequently asked questions
What happened at Riyadh airport?
Flames and a large plume of black smoke were seen rising above Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport on Saturday, and explosions were heard in the capital as firefighters battled a burning fuel tank bearing the Aramco logo, according to the Guardian.
Who claimed responsibility for the attacks?
The Houthis claimed responsibility for attacks on the Saudi capital, according to CNBC and the BBC.
Which other cities were affected by warnings?
According to the Guardian, Saudi authorities also issued warnings for Jeddah and Yanbu, a major industrial port and home to vital oil facilities.
Timeline
- Houthis claim drone attack on Saudi Arabia's capital after smoke seen rising near airport
Sky News: Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis have claimed responsibility for missile and drone attacks targeting "sensitive" sites in Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh – hours after flames and smoke were seen near the city's main airport.
- Thick smoke seen near Riyadh airport as Houthis claim attack on Saudi capital
The Guardian World: Authorities issued warnings for city in first such alerts for Riyadh since fighting with Iran-backed Houthis escalated in July Yemen’s Houthis said they attacked “sensitive” sites in the Saudi capital with missiles and drones, hours after flames and a large plume of black smoke w
- Flames, smoke seen near Riyadh airport; Houthis claim attacks on Saudi capital
CNBC Top News: Saudi Arabia had sent alerts overnight warning of potential danger around Riyadh, amid an escalation in attacks by the Houthis in the kingdom.
- Houthis claim attack on Saudi capital after smoke seen rising near Riyadh airport
BBC World: The King Khalid International Airport incident caused hours of flight disruptions and comes amid an escalating conflict with Houthi rebels in Yemen.
- Thick smoke seen near Riyadh airport after air raid alerts in Saudi capital
The Guardian World: Authorities also issued warnings for Jeddah and Yanbu, a major industrial port and home to vital oil facilities Flames and a large plume of black smoke were seen rising above Riyadh airport in Saudi Arabia on Saturday after the government sent air raid alerts to citizens by phone
- Thick smoke seen near Riyadh airport after air-raid alerts in Saudi capital
The Guardian World: Authorities also issued warnings for Jeddah and Yanbu, a major industrial port and home to vital oil facilities Flames and a large plume of black smoke were seen rising above Riyadh airport in Saudi Arabia on Saturday after the government sent air-raid alerts to citizens by phone