Explosions Near Riyadh Airport Prompt Warnings of Hostile Aerial Threat
Saudi Arabia issues emergency alerts as smoke and flames are reported near the capital's international airport.
Smoke and flames were reported near Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport on Saturday, following emergency alerts issued by Saudi authorities warning of a "hostile aerial threat." Residents in the Saudi capital described hearing explosions and seeing plumes of smoke near the airport.
Aircraft tracking website FlightRadar24 indicated major disruptions at the airport, with a disruption index of 5.0, signifying significant problems, long delays, and numerous flight cancellations. This disruption follows an overnight air raid alert, the first in Riyadh since fighting in neighboring Yemen escalated this month.
Saudi officials have not yet specified the cause of the alerts or the reported explosions, though the kingdom has previously reported intercepting Houthi missiles and drones. Earlier this week, Houthi rebels were accused of launching a drone toward the holy city of Mecca.
The Houthi military spokesman, Yahya Saree, denied targeting Mecca, stating that their operations focus on oil facilities and military bases, not sacred sites. The Saudi-led Coalition Forces spokesman, Major General Turki al-Maliki, condemned the alleged attack on Mecca, calling it a "hostile attempt" and a provocation to Muslims.
The United Nations Security Council expressed concern that the Houthi rebels' military escalation and attacks risk expanding the conflict, threatening maritime security and international trade, while also undermining peace efforts in Yemen. The council urged member states to cooperate in preventing the Houthi rebels from acquiring arms and military assistance, emphasizing the enforcement of the UN arms embargo against the group.
The recent developments occur amid growing concerns about global oil supply stability, particularly after Houthi rebels reportedly seized the Greater and Lesser Hanish islands in the Red Sea following an attack on a Saudi pipeline. The Iran-backed group has been engaged in a civil war in Yemen against a Saudi-led coalition since 2014.
In separate news, Iran's state television reported Saturday on the execution of Hossein Pedram, who was convicted of spying for Israel's intelligence agency, Mossad. He was accused of passing classified information on sensitive military sites in Iran's Isfahan province to Israel, reportedly following an air war involving the U.S. and Israel against Iran last June. Human rights groups have raised concerns about a recent surge in executions in Iran.