1 hr ago
Smoke and Flames Seen Near Riyadh Airport Amid Houthi Tensions
People in Riyadh saw flames and a large cloud of black smoke near the city’s main airport.
Some residents also heard loud booms or an explosion.
Saudi authorities had warned people about a possible danger during the night.
The warnings were later cancelled with an all-clear.
Officials had not explained what caused the smoke.
The incident happened during a period of increased fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis in Yemen.
The Houthis have launched attacks toward Saudi Arabia, while Saudi Arabia has conducted strikes in Yemen.
The fighting has also raised concerns about ships and energy supplies in the region.
A large plume of black smoke and flames was seen near Riyadh’s main airport on Saturday.
Saudi authorities issued overnight alerts warning of potential danger or a hostile aerial threat around Riyadh and Al-Kharj.
Residents reported hearing booms or at least one explosion before Saudi civil defence issued an all-clear.
The cause of the smoke and fire was not immediately clear, and Saudi authorities had not publicly confirmed the incident’s origin.
The sightings followed increased Houthi attacks toward Saudi Arabia and Saudi airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.
- Who
- Saudi authorities, the Houthi group in Yemen, and residents and witnesses in Riyadh.
- What
- Flames and a large plume of black smoke were seen near Riyadh’s main airport after alerts, booms, and a reported explosion.
- Where
- Near Riyadh’s main airport, with alerts also covering Riyadh and Al-Kharj in Saudi Arabia.
- When
- Saturday, after overnight alerts and before the all-clear issued Saturday morning.
- Why
- The incident occurred amid escalating Houthi attacks toward Saudi Arabia and Saudi military strikes against Houthi targets; the immediate cause of the smoke was not confirmed.
Saudi Arabia and International Response
Houthi Claims and Position
Responsibility for the escalation
Saudi Arabia and International Response
Saudi Arabia has issued security alerts and carried out strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. The UN Security Council condemned continued Houthi attacks affecting Saudi civilian and energy infrastructure.
Houthi Claims and Position
The Iran-aligned Houthis say Saudi Arabia has conducted hundreds of airstrikes against them in recent days and have vowed to respond.
Maritime and regional threats
Saudi Arabia and International Response
The attacks are viewed as creating risks for Saudi security, shipping, and energy supplies, particularly along the Red Sea route.
Houthi Claims and Position
The Houthis have declared a maritime blockade targeting Saudi-linked shipping in the Red Sea and say they are responding to what they describe as Saudi actions.
Key facts
- Location
- Near Riyadh’s main international airport, Saudi Arabia
- Reported signs
- Flames, thick black smoke, booms, and at least one reported explosion
- Alerts
- Saudi authorities warned of potential danger or a hostile aerial threat around Riyadh and Al-Kharj
- All-clear
- Saudi civil defence issued an all-clear on Saturday morning
- Cause
- Not immediately clear; Saudi authorities had not publicly confirmed the origin
- Wider conflict
- The sighting followed increased Houthi attacks toward Saudi Arabia and Saudi strikes in Yemen
- Regional concern
- The fighting has raised concerns about Red Sea shipping and energy supplies
Sources
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