Explosions heard in Riyadh as smoke rises near airport
A large plume of black smoke was seen near Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport after residents heard explosions during the night.
The incident came after Saudi authorities issued emergency alerts warning residents of possible danger in Riyadh and the nearby city of Al-Kharj.
The warnings were later lifted, but the sight of smoke near a major airport raised concerns among residents and travellers.
Saudi Arabia issues overnight alerts
Saudi Civil Defense sent emergency warnings to residents during the night.
One alert received by residents shortly before 3am said, “The area is under a hostile aerial threat,” and advised people to remain indoors. Residents in Riyadh reported hearing loud booms shortly after the warning.
Saudi Civil Defense later issued an all-clear after the danger had passed. Arab News reported that warnings were issued and then lifted in Riyadh and Al-Kharj.
The Saudi government’s media office did not immediately provide details about the smoke or the source of the overnight threat, according to Reuters.
Residents describe frightening moments
The alerts caused concern in several parts of the capital. Residents told international media that they heard explosions and felt their windows shake. One resident described the experience as frightening and said the all-clear did not come immediately after the warning.
Another resident said the situation caused extreme anxiety, particularly because people did not know what was happening. Authorities urged residents to remain indoors and follow official safety instructions during the alert.
Flights disrupted at Riyadh airport
The security incident also affected flight operations at King Khalid International Airport.
Flight-tracking website FlightRadar24 reported major disruption at the airport, including delays and cancellations. The airport was placed at the highest level on the website’s disruption index, indicating major operational problems.
The disruption added to concerns for passengers as smoke was seen near the airport and authorities continued to assess the situation. It was not immediately clear how long normal flight operations would take to resume.
Exact cause of smoke remains unclear
The exact cause of the smoke had not been officially established when the initial reports emerged.
Reuters reported that flames and a significant plume of black smoke were seen near the airport. However, the Saudi government had not immediately explained what caused the incident. The overnight alerts referred to a potential aerial threat, but Saudi authorities did not immediately identify the source of that threat.
This meant it remained unclear whether the smoke was directly connected to an intercepted weapon, an impact, or another incident. Officials are expected to provide further details as investigations and assessments continue.
Incident comes amid Houthi attacks
The latest developments came amid an increase in attacks by Yemen’s Houthi movement against Saudi Arabia.
The Houthis have intensified attacks against Saudi targets since July, according to Reuters reporting. The escalation has included attacks involving drones and missiles and has raised concerns about Saudi cities, energy facilities, and shipping routes.
Also Read: Saudi Civil Defense warns six regions, urges residents to stay safe
Saudi Arabia has also issued security alerts in other parts of the country in recent days. The latest warning in Riyadh marked a significant development because the Saudi capital is home to major government institutions, businesses, and critical infrastructure.
Recent attack raises security concerns
The Riyadh incident followed a deadly drone-related incident in Taif. Saudi authorities said a Houthi drone was intercepted and destroyed, but debris fell in Taif, killing a Yemeni resident and injuring two other people.
The injured included a Saudi woman and a Pakistani resident, who was reported to be in critical condition. Buildings and vehicles were also damaged.
Earlier, Saudi authorities said a drone heading toward Makkah had also been intercepted. The Houthis have denied Saudi accusations regarding some of the attacks.
UN condemns attacks on Saudi Arabia
The United Nations Security Council has condemned continued Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia.
The council highlighted attacks affecting civilian and energy infrastructure and noted that civilians, including women and children, had been injured. It also condemned the wider military escalation in Yemen.
The renewed fighting has also created a growing humanitarian crisis in Yemen. According to the UN’s migration agency, more than 112,000 people have been displaced inside Yemen during the recent fighting, while nearly 3,000 others have crossed the sea to Djibouti.
Wider impact on regional security
The escalation is also raising concerns about important shipping routes and global energy supplies. The Bab al-Mandab Strait is a key route for trade and energy shipments between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Continued attacks in the region could create additional pressure on shipping and energy markets. The situation has become more complicated as fighting in Yemen continues alongside wider tensions in the Middle East.
Authorities urge residents to stay alert
Saudi authorities have repeatedly asked residents to follow official safety instructions during emergency alerts.
People are advised to stay indoors when warnings are issued and avoid gathering near affected locations. Residents have also been urged to rely on official announcements rather than unverified reports circulating online.
The latest Riyadh alert was eventually lifted, allowing authorities to assess the situation and determine the cause of the smoke. Further information from Saudi authorities will be important to establish what happened near the airport and whether any damage or casualties resulted.
