Flames, smoke seen near Riyadh airport; Houthis claim attacks
Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for missile and drone attacks on sensitive sites in Riyadh and an Aramco facility in Yanbu. The incident caused visible fires near Riyadh's airport and prompted U.S. embassies in the region to issue security alerts.
Why it matters
Escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure threaten regional stability and global oil supply chains.
Yemen's Houthis said they attacked "sensitive" sites in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Saturday with missiles and drones, hours after flames and a large plume of smoke were seen near the city's main airport.
Saudi Arabia had sent alerts overnight warning of potential danger around Riyadh, amid an escalation in attacks by the Houthis in the kingdom.
Late in the day, U.S. embassies in Jerusalem, Oman, and Iraq issued security alerts for American nationals in the Middle East because of heightened tensions and the potential for unforeseen escalation.
Reuters video and photographs showed a huge pillar of black smoke rising in the area, with the airport highway, main terminal building and other facilities in the foreground. At one point in the video, flames were visible rising from behind what appeared to be fuel tanks.
Also covering this story
11 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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