Riyadh Airport Reports Smoke After Air Raid Alerts

Firefighters were seen working to extinguish flames from a burnt-out fuel tank near Riyadh's airport following air raid alerts in the Saudi capital. The Saudi Civil Defence issued phone alerts overnight, warning of potential danger in Riyadh and other regions before declaring an all-clear on Saturday morning. Residents reported hearing explosions after the alerts, with one telling AFP they saw "black smoke and fire" in the direction of the airport.

These events follow a week in which the Houthi military spokesman, Yahya al-Sarea, stated that Saudi Arabia had conducted 300 strikes across Yemen. The Houthis, engaged in a civil war with Yemen's internationally recognized government, recently claimed control of the strategic port city of Mokha and Perim Island. The group stated this action was in retaliation for a Saudi blockade of ports and airports in Houthi-controlled northwestern Yemen. This naval blockade, according to the Houthis, is a response to Saudi actions. Saudi vessels have been utilizing this section of the Red Sea for oil exports, particularly since the Strait of Hormuz became less accessible due to regional conflicts. On Friday, the Houthis also announced they had thwarted Saudi attacks on the Yemeni capital Sanaa, which they suggested bore similarities to an Islamic State operation. Al-Sarea warned that the reported attacks on Sanaa "would not go unanswered."