Saudi authorities issued an air raid alert for Riyadh and surrounding areas after a fire broke out near King Khalid International Airport, with flights disrupted and a major plume of smoke visible. The incident follows a week of Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure, raising concerns over oil supplies and regional stability.
Firefighters responded to a burning Aramco fuel tank near the airport, with residents reporting explosions and smoke. The Houthis claimed attacks on Saudi targets, including an Aramco facility in Yanbu, in response to a recent strike in Sanaa. The Saudi civil defense issued alerts overnight, with an all-clear issued by morning.
The incident underscores the ongoing tension between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, with the Houthis vowing further retaliation. The UN condemned the attacks, calling for action to prevent the group from acquiring military resources. The disruption at Riyadh airport highlights the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to conflict in the region.
The Houthi group has seized strategic Red Sea islands, expanding its influence and threatening global oil routes. The conflict has intensified since July, with both sides engaging in sustained attacks, raising fears of a broader regional escalation and impact on global energy markets.