Flames, smoke seen near Riyadh airport; Saudi Arabia says Houthi ballistic missile intercepted

This marks the first targeting of Saudi Arabia's capital since the escalation in fighting with the Houthis.

Large plume of black smoke rises from the fuel storage depot at King Khalid International Airport, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Sep 19, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. (Photo: REUTERS/Stringer)

RIYADH: Yemen's Houthis said they attacked "sensitive" sites in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Saturday (Sep 19) with missiles and drones, hours after flames and a large plume of smoke were seen near the city's main airport.

Saudi Arabia later on Saturday confirmed that the Houthis tried to attack its capital with a ballistic missile, the first targeting of Riyadh since the escalation in fighting with the Tehran-backed rebels that has opened a new front in the Iran war.