Houthis strike near Riyadh airport, claim attacks on Saudi capital
The group said it fired missiles and drones at 'sensitive' sites on Saturday as authorities issued overnight alerts and a large plume of smoke was seen near…
Mateo Fernandez ·
The Houthis said on Saturday they attacked "sensitive" sites in Riyadh with missiles and drones after flames and a large pillar of smoke were seen near the city’s main airport.
Reaction pending.
Smoke near Riyadh airport
Photographs and video showed a huge column of black smoke rising close to the airport highway and main terminal, officials said. Authorities issued overnight alerts warning of potential danger around Riyadh, and transport routes near the airport were reported disrupted, officials said.
The armed group said it had targeted sites inside the capital; officials in Saudi Arabia have not yet provided a full damage assessment. The strikes follow a series of cross-border attacks that, officials said, represent an escalation in the group’s operations inside the kingdom.
Analysts warn the proximity of the strikes to aviation infrastructure raises short-term operational and safety risks for flights using Riyadh’s airport, officials said, and could prompt heightened security measures at regional hubs.
Officials gave no immediate timeline for further details; further briefings could come within 24 hours. Markets and energy firms will monitor official updates and any reported damage to infrastructure that could affect oil flows or regional logistics.