Saudi authorities issued air raid alerts near Riyadh airport as fires and smoke were reported, raising concerns about potential threats to oil supplies and global markets. The incident follows a week of Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure, with flames and smoke observed near the King Khalid International Airport.
Flames and a large plume of black smoke were seen rising from a fuel tank near the airport, with explosions heard in the area. The Saudi civil defense sent alerts overnight, warning of potential aerial attacks, before issuing an all-clear in the morning. The Houthis claimed attacks on Saudi facilities, including an Aramco site in Yanbu.
The incident underscores ongoing tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, with the Houthis accusing the Saudi air force of conducting airstrikes. The conflict has disrupted oil exports and raised fears of further disruptions to global fuel markets. The UN condemned the Houthi attacks, calling for action to prevent the group from acquiring military resources.
The Houthis have seized strategic areas in Yemen, including Red Sea islands, and have intensified attacks on Saudi cities and energy infrastructure. The conflict has led to displacement of thousands and raised concerns about the stability of the region, with the US and Saudi Arabia engaged in efforts to counter the Houthi threat.