3 hrs ago
Houthis Claim Riyadh Attacks as Smoke Rises Near Airport
People saw a large cloud of smoke and flames near the airport in Riyadh.
The Houthis said they had launched missiles and drones at important places in the Saudi capital.
They also said they attacked an Aramco facility in Yanbu.
Saudi authorities warned people about possible attacks overnight.
They later announced that the danger had passed.
Saudi Arabia had not confirmed that the Houthi attacks caused the smoke.
The Houthis said their actions were retaliation for an attack in Sanaa.
The fighting is part of a wider and worsening conflict involving Yemen and Saudi Arabia.
The Houthis said they attacked sensitive sites in Riyadh with missiles and drones.
A large plume of black smoke and flames were seen near Riyadh’s main airport.
The Houthis also claimed an attack on an Aramco facility in Yanbu.
Saudi authorities issued aerial-attack alerts for Riyadh and Al-Kharj before declaring an all-clear.
Saudi Arabia did not immediately confirm the Houthi claims or explain the smoke.
- Who
- The Houthis claimed responsibility, while Saudi authorities issued warnings but did not immediately confirm the claims.
- What
- Missile and drone attacks were claimed against sites in Riyadh, alongside an alleged attack on an Aramco facility in Yanbu.
- Where
- Near Riyadh’s main airport and in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia; alerts also covered Al-Kharj.
- When
- The events occurred overnight and on Saturday, September 19.
- Why
- The Houthis said the attacks were in response to an attack in Sanaa.
Houthi Account
Saudi Position
Whether an attack occurred
Houthi Account
The Houthis said they attacked sensitive sites in Riyadh with missiles and drones and targeted an Aramco facility in Yanbu.
Saudi Position
Saudi Arabia had not immediately confirmed the Houthi claims, although its civil defence agency issued aerial-attack warnings and later an all-clear.
Reason for the attacks
Houthi Account
The Houthis said the operation was retaliation for an attack in Sanaa and accused the Saudi Air Force of conducting recent airstrikes.
Saudi Position
Saudi authorities did not immediately provide a public explanation for the smoke or respond to the Houthi account.
Key facts
- Claimed attackers
- The Houthis
- Claimed weapons
- Missiles and drones
- Primary location
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Additional claimed target
- An Aramco facility in Yanbu
- Official response
- Saudi Arabia had not immediately confirmed the claims or explained the smoke
- Warnings
- Saudi civil defence alerted residents in Riyadh and Al-Kharj to possible aerial attacks
- International response
- The United Nations Security Council condemned continued Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia
Sources
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