Smoke and Flames at Riyadh Airport Amid Houthi Escalation

Thick smoke billowed above Riyadh airport in Saudi Arabia on Saturday after air-raid alerts were sent to citizens by phone overnight, warning of aerial attacks. Flames and a large plume of black smoke were seen rising from a burning fuel tank emblazoned with the logo of Aramco near King Khalid international airport.

The government's decision to send such alerts for Riyadh was unprecedented since fighting escalated in July between Saudi forces and Iran-backed Houthis in neighboring Yemen. Residents reported hearing what sounded like another round of explosions echoing through parts of the capital hours after the alert.

The Saudi civil defense force issued air-raid alerts overnight on Friday to residents of Riyadh, Jeddah, and other cities, including Yanbu, a major industrial port with critical oil facilities. The all-clear was given shortly afterwards, but residents were advised not to gather in crowds.