On Saturday, a significant plume of smoke was seen near the main airport in Riyadh following a series of booms that echoed through the area. This incident occurred after Saudi Arabia issued overnight alerts warning of potential threats around the capital, linked to an increase in attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
Tensions Escalate in the Region
This marks a significant moment as it is the first time since the resumption of Yemen’s prolonged civil war that the threat has reached the Saudi capital. The situation adds further strain to a global economy already challenged by nearly seven months of conflict between the United States and Iran.
Footage from Reuters depicted a towering column of black smoke in the vicinity, with the airport highway, the main terminal, and other structures clearly visible in the foreground. The aircraft tracking service, FlightRadar24, reported severe disruptions at Riyadh King Khalid International Airport, with numerous flights canceled or delayed.
The airport was rated at the maximum disruption level of 5.0 on the site’s index, indicating substantial issues with long delays and multiple flight cancellations.
Official Responses and Public Reaction
The Saudi government has yet to provide an official response to inquiries about the smoke and the overnight warnings. Civil defense authorities sent alerts to residents in Riyadh and the nearby city of Al-Kharj, cautioning them about potential threats before lifting the alert by Saturday morning.
Residents received messages around 3:00 am, advising them to stay indoors due to “a hostile aerial threat.” Explosions were heard shortly after, but the alert was lifted within half an hour. A local journalist also reported hearing the booms before the all-clear was announced.
A 27-year-old resident from northern Riyadh described the experience as frightening, noting the unexpected nature of the event. Another resident expressed anxiety due to the delay in receiving the all-clear signal compared to previous incidents.
Exacerbating Conflict
This incident follows accusations by Riyadh against the Houthis of targeting the holy city of Makkah, an act Saudi Arabia condemned as a “cowardly terrorist attack.” The Houthis have denied these allegations, labeling them as “worn-out lies.”
Since July, the Houthis have intensified their attacks on Saudi Arabia, declaring a naval blockade and targeting Saudi vessels in the Red Sea. These actions threaten global oil supplies, especially with the Bab al-Mandab sea lane being a critical alternative for Gulf exports as the Strait of Hormuz remains blockaded.
The Houthis maintain that there is no threat to shipping lanes except for Saudi ships. On Friday, the group’s military spokesperson claimed to have thwarted “criminal attempts” in Sanaa, blaming Saudi Arabia and promising retaliation.
International Repercussions
The UN Security Council condemned the continued Houthi assaults on Saudi Arabia, which have impacted civilian and energy infrastructures, injuring civilians, including women and children. The Council also criticized the Houthis’ military escalation in Yemen.
Despite Saudi Arabia’s request for intervention, the US refused to strike the Houthis. However, the US did approve a $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia to bolster its defense capabilities.
As the Houthis fortify their positions along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, the conflict has displaced over 112,000 people, with nearly 3,000 fleeing to Djibouti. The war, which began in 2014 with the Houthis seizing Sanaa, saw a fragile truce collapse in July 2022, further escalating tensions in the region.
