Saudi Arabia: Flames visible near Riyadh airport after heavy explosions

Flames and thick black smoke were visible near Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on Saturday, following two powerful explosions, according to witnesses and journalists in the Saudi capital. The incidents mark the first direct attack on Riyadh since the resumption of hostilities with the Houthi rebels in Yemen earlier this month. Residents were alerted to a potential aerial threat late Friday night, prompting them to take shelter inside their homes. The warnings, issued by Saudi civil defense authorities, were followed by two loud detonations before being lifted approximately half an hour later. A journalist with the French news agency AFP described seeing a fuel tank belonging to Saudi state-owned oil company Aramco engulfed in flames near the airport. Firefighters were visible attempting to extinguish the fire, with the tank displaying the company’s logo. Witnesses reported witnessing black smoke and fire close to the airport, with one resident describing the scene as terrifying. Another told AFP he had not anticipated the alert and felt intense fear as his windows shook during the incident. The Houthi movement in Yemen claimed responsibility for the attacks, stating that they had targeted “sensitive” sites in Riyadh. This follows a series of escalating attacks by the Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, against Saudi infrastructure in southern regions and along the Red Sea coast. On Saturday morning, the Saudi-led military coalition announced that it had intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis towards Riyadh. In separate statements, the coalition confirmed that its air defenses had thwarted several attacks aimed at civilian areas in cities such as Bisha, Taif, Farasan, and Yanbu. These attacks represent a shift in the conflict, as the Houthis have previously focused primarily on oil facilities and military installations far from Riyadh. However, the latest strikes suggest a growing willingness to target the capital itself. The Saudi government has accused the Houthis of attacking Mecca, a holy site for Muslims, though the rebels have denied the claims. The attacks have drawn widespread condemnation within the Muslim world. Residents of Riyadh remained anxious throughout the night, with some reporting additional explosions in different parts of the city hours after the initial alert. One young man from the northern part of the capital described feeling extreme fear upon hearing the explosion and experiencing vibrations through his windows. Another resident from the city center expressed heightened anxiety, noting that the alert lasted longer than usual compared to past instances. The Saudi authorities have not yet released detailed information regarding the cause of the alerts, nor have they commented on any casualties or damage resulting from the explosions. Civil defense officials issued the alerts via mobile phones to residents in Riyadh and nearby areas such as Al-Kharj, urging them to remain indoors and follow further instructions. The situation appears to have stabilized by early Saturday morning, with officials confirming that the danger had passed. This marks the first time since the intensification of clashes with the Houthis in July that the Saudi capital has been directly impacted. The conflict, which escalated after the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran, has seen the Houthis increasingly challenge Saudi interests. Recent developments include the rebels striking the King Khalid International Airport, reportedly damaging critical fuel reserves, and losing one of Saudi Arabia’s most advanced fighter jets to their attacks. Meanwhile, the Saudi-led coalition continues its bombing campaign against Houthi-controlled territories in Yemen, despite failing to halt their advances.