Source The Times of Israel
RIYADH — A thick column of black smoke rose near King Khalid International Airport on Saturday following overnight explosions and the first air raid alert sounded in the Saudi capital since hostilities with Yemen’s Houthi movement reignited earlier this year.
The disruption triggered flight delays and ground cancellations across Riyadh’s primary international hub, with tracking service FlightRadar24 categorizing operations under its highest disruption index. Eyewitness accounts and video footage captured dense plumes billowing near airport infrastructure, while residents across northern and central Riyadh reported distinct blasts echoing through the city.
The incident came hours after Saudi Civil Defense broadcast urgent mobile alerts shortly before 3:00 a.m., warning residents that the area was under a “hostile aerial threat” and directing civilians to remain indoors. While an all-clear notice was issued roughly thirty minutes later, fresh explosions were heard later in the morning. Authorities in Riyadh have not yet issued an official statement detailing the exact source of the fire or confirming whether interceptor debris caused ground damage.
The apparent targeting of the Saudi interior marks a significant expansion in the conflict since a 2022 truce broke down in July. Following their recent advances along Yemen’s western coast and around the Bab al-Mandab strait, Houthi forces declared a maritime blockade against Saudi-bound vessels. Over the past week, Saudi-led coalition aircraft have launched hundreds of retaliatory strikes against Houthi military positions across northern Yemen.
The strike alert inside Riyadh comes amid heightened regional tensions and follows recent accusations by Saudi officials that hostile launches had targeted the western province near Mecca. The United Nations Security Council condemned continued cross-border attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure, urging immediate de-escalation as regional transit corridors and energy security face mounting pressure.
