RIYADH — A series of explosions rattled the Saudi Arabian capital on Saturday, sending thick plumes of black smoke into the sky near the city's major international hub and forcing temporary flight suspensions. The incident occurred amid a sharp escalation in cross-border hostilities linked to the ongoing civil war in neighboring Yemen.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels quickly claimed responsibility for the operation. In a public statement, a military spokesperson for the insurgent group stated that a substantial barrage of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles had targeted critical infrastructure within Riyadh as well as energy facilities operated by the state-run petroleum enterprise along the Red Sea coast.
Residents across the Saudi capital reported hearing loud blasts echoing through the streets during the early morning hours. Emergency alerts had been dispatched to mobile phones overnight, instructing the population to shelter indoors before the authorities ultimately issued an all-clear notice later in the morning.
Flight tracking data indicated significant disruptions at King Khalid International Airport, with multiple arrivals and departures experiencing delays or cancellations. On-site reporting noted that emergency response crews rushed to tackle flames near a fuel storage facility in the area.
The latest strikes represent a dangerous escalation in a long-running regional conflict. The Houthi representative asserted that the bombardment was carried out in retaliation for recent aerial bombing campaigns conducted by the Saudi-led coalition in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa, adding that hundreds of air raids had hit the country over the preceding week.
The conflict in Yemen pits the Houthi movement against the internationally recognized government, which receives robust backing from Riyadh. In recent months, the insurgents have intensified drone and missile attacks targeting Saudi territory. The violence has also escalated significantly on the ground, with recent fighting in Yemen reportedly resulting in dozens of casualties and displacing tens of thousands of civilians.
The widening regional conflict has raised profound concerns within global energy markets. Financial institutions have expressed mounting uncertainty regarding the stability of petroleum supplies, particularly as shipping lanes and infrastructure face growing threats.
Saudi authorities have not yet issued an official statement regarding the specifics of Saturday's incidents at the capital's airport and energy sites. The situation remains fluid as regional security forces monitor potential further threats.
Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC News. Read the original report at BBC News.
