Flames and Smoke Erupt Near Riyadh Airport Amid Houthi Attacks

Reports indicate that flames and a significant plume of black smoke were seen near Riyadh King Khalid International Airport, coinciding with a series of claimed missile and drone attacks by Yemen's Houthi forces on sensitive locations within the Saudi capital.

The Saudi-led coalition claimed to have intercepted a ballistic missile fired by the Houthis towards Riyadh in the early hours of Saturday before it could cause any damage. General Turki Al-Maliki stated that the interception was successful and was conducted in accordance with established engagement protocols.

Saudi Arabia issued air raid alerts to citizens throughout the night, marking the first such warnings since the escalation of hostilities with the Houthis began in July. This concerned message was delivered by various governmental channels, including calls to residents of the capital, warning them of the potential for impending attacks.

In addition to the missile threats, aircraft tracking service FlightRadar24 detected major disruptions at the airport, with numerous flight cancellations and delays attributed to the ongoing situation. Firefighters were deployed to handle the situation around the fuel tank, which was reportedly set ablaze during the incidents.

Hours after the flames were reported, the Houthis claimed responsibility for the missile and drone strikes aimed at the Saudi capital, asserting their intent to target critical infrastructure. The attacks were part of a broader pattern of escalating tensions between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia in recent months.

As the situation unfolded, video footage and images surfaced showing a large column of smoke near the airport, reinforcing concerns regarding safety and security in the region. The coalition forces affirmed their vigilance and continued monitoring to ensure the protection of civilians. They emphasized their readiness to respond to such threats and to mitigate potential damage from future attacks.