Flames and Black Smoke Seen Near Riyadh Airport After Saudi Arabia Warns of Aerial Attack

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Flames and a huge plume of black smoke were seen near Riyadh’s main airport on Saturday after Saudi authorities issued overnight warnings of a possible aerial attack on the capital.

Reuters footage showed thick smoke rising near King Khalid International Airport, with flames visible behind what appeared to be fuel storage tanks.

The incident came amid a sharp escalation in attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement against Saudi Arabia.

Saudi civil defence sent mobile alerts warning residents in Riyadh and the nearby city of Al Kharj of a potential aerial threat. An all clear was later issued on Saturday morning.

Residents reported hearing explosions in parts of Riyadh before and after the alerts.

The Saudi government did not immediately provide details about the source of the smoke or the overnight warnings.

Houthis claim attacks on Riyadh

Yahya Saree, the Houthi military spokesperson, later said the group had launched missile and drone attacks against what he described as “sensitive” sites in Riyadh.

The Houthis also claimed to have targeted facilities belonging to Saudi oil giant Aramco in the Red Sea port city of Yanbu. The group said the attacks were carried out in response to Saudi military action against Sanaa, the Yemeni capital.

Saudi authorities subsequently said a ballistic missile targeting Riyadh had been intercepted, while additional attacks targeting areas including Yanbu, Taif, Baysh and Farasan were also thwarted.

The smoke seen near the airport was reported in the area of fuel storage facilities. AFP footage and reporting also showed firefighters responding to a fire involving a fuel tank bearing the logo of Saudi Aramco.

Growing regional escalation

The latest attacks come after the Houthis intensified their military campaign against Saudi Arabia following a major escalation in Yemen.

The group has targeted Saudi cities, energy infrastructure and shipping, raising concerns over the security of regional oil supplies and the Red Sea trade route.

The attacks have also caused disruption at Riyadh’s airport, with flight delays and cancellations reported during the incident before air traffic began returning towards normal.The latest developments mark a significant escalation in the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, with the fighting increasingly threatening critical infrastructure and major regional transport and energy routes.

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