Saudi Arabia on Saturday confirmed that Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels attempted to attack Riyadh with a ballistic missile. This marks the first time the capital has been targeted since the recent escalation in fighting. Saudi authorities had issued overnight air-raid alerts via phone, warning citizens of potential danger and advising them to stay indoors and away from windows.
Explosions and loud booms were heard across the capital, and a large plume of black smoke was seen rising near King Khalid International Airport. Firefighters worked to extinguish a blaze at an Aramco fuel tank located at a depot near the airport. The incident caused significant disruption to local flights, which were cancelled and delayed. The Houthi rebels claimed to have targeted sensitive sites in Riyadh, including the airport and energy sites, and also stated they attacked a key Saudi oil export hub.
The attacks come amid intensifying fighting between Saudi-backed government forces and Houthi rebels, who have seized territory in Yemen and killed 48 people in recent hours. In addition to the strikes on Riyadh, authorities issued warnings for Jeddah and Yanbu, a major industrial port containing vital oil facilities. The kingdom has also been targeted by drones from Iraq as the conflict opens a new front in the Iran war.