Smoke Rises Near Riyadh Airport Following Large-Scale Houthi Attack

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — A thick column of black smoke rose into the sky near King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh after Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched a large-scale missile and drone strike targeting locations in Saudi Arabia.

Emergency crews rushed to contain a fire that broke out at a fuel storage depot in the vicinity of the airport premises following the explosions. Saudi civil defense authorities issued overnight phone warnings across Riyadh and nearby areas alerting residents to a potential aerial threat before issuing an all-clear on Saturday morning.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea claimed responsibility for the operations, stating that the group targeted "sensitive" sites in the Saudi capital alongside energy facilities belonging to Saudi Aramco in the Red Sea port city of Yanbu. Sarea asserted that the strikes were carried out using a combination of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and armed drones.

The Saudi-led coalition reported that its air defense systems successfully intercepted and destroyed a missile over Riyadh, while also foiling several drone attacks directed at other southern and western regions. Operations at King Khalid International Airport faced temporary flight delays and disruptions as firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze.

Authorities have not reported any immediate casualties in the capital. The attack marks a significant escalation in regional tensions, drawing international concern as security forces continue to monitor airspace threats and assess physical damage at the affected facilities.

In the hours following the escalation, international community leaders and regional allies issued statements condemning the cross-border strikes, emphasizing the need to protect civilian infrastructure and maintain stability across key global transport hubs. Diplomatic envoys reiterated calls for immediate de-escalation and urged a return to mediated peace talks to prevent further destabilization of regional energy networks and airspace security.

In response to the strike, Saudi military command announced an intensification of surveillance flights and heightened readiness along strategic borders to prevent further cross-border aerial incursions. Authorities confirmed that commercial flights at King Khalid International Airport have since resumed regular schedules, while specialized technical teams remain on-site to inspect structural damage, finalize repairs on the damaged storage units, and bolster defense measures around critical infrastructure.