Saudi Arabia intercepted a ballistic missile over Riyadh on Saturday after a fire broke out near King Khalid International Airport. The Saudi-led coalition said the missile was launched by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement during the early hours of the morning.
Firefighters quickly extinguished a blaze at a fuel tank carrying the logo of Saudi energy giant Aramco. Witnesses reported seeing thick black smoke rising above airport buildings near the capital’s main airport.
Saudi Defences Thwart Multiple Attacks
Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki said Saudi air defences successfully intercepted and destroyed the ballistic missile before it could reach its target. He added that the Houthis also attempted to strike civilians and civilian infrastructure in Bisha, Taif, Farasan, and Yanbu.
According to al-Malki, Saudi defence systems blocked all the attacks. The coalition described the operations as direct threats to civilian areas and critical infrastructure across the kingdom.
Meanwhile, the Houthis claimed responsibility for launching large-scale attacks using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group targeted sensitive locations in Riyadh and Aramco facilities in Yanbu.
Regional Tensions Continue to Rise
Saudi authorities had issued an overnight air raid alert before the reported attacks. Later, residents in Riyadh said they heard several explosions echoing across parts of the city.
Flight tracking platform FlightRadar24 also reported major disruptions at King Khalid International Airport. However, airport operations gradually returned to normal as the situation stabilized.
The US State Department and its embassies across the region issued a security alert, warning that the conflict could escalate rapidly. Officials noted that Houthi attacks have increasingly targeted Saudi Arabia, including civilian airports and strategic facilities.
The latest developments come as regional tensions continue to grow amid ongoing conflict involving Iran, the Houthis, and Saudi Arabia.
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