Large smoke was seen near Riyadh's main airport on Saturday after explosions were heard and Saudi Arabia issued warnings about potential dangers around the capital. These events come as attacks by the Houthi group from Yemen have increased against Saudi Arabia.
Houthi Attacks and Saudi Warnings
Images and videos released show a large column of black smoke rising into the sky in the area, while the airport highway and the main terminal buildings are in the foreground. In response to this situation, Saudi Civil Defense forces sent phone warnings last night regarding potential dangers in Riyadh and the city of Al-Kharj east of the capital, but announced on Saturday morning that the danger had been resolved.
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Escalation of Tensions and International Reactions
This is not the first time Saudi Arabia has issued warnings regarding potential dangers in Riyadh this year, but these warnings are the first since the escalation of tensions with the Houthis in July. The Houthis, who control populous parts of Yemen and most of the northern regions, have launched attacks towards Saudi Arabia since the announcement of a naval blockade on Riyadh in July. These attacks pose new threats to global oil supply and jeopardize the main export routes of the Gulf.
The military spokesperson for the Houthis, Yahya Saree, announced on Friday that the group had thwarted unspecified "criminal" efforts in Yemen's capital, Sana'a, and held Saudi Arabia responsible, promising a response. This group, aligned with Iran, has recently captured all of Yemen's Red Sea coasts with its rapid advance and claims that the Saudi air force has conducted hundreds of airstrikes against them in recent days.
The United Nations Security Council condemned the ongoing Houthi attacks against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in a statement on Friday, including attacks that damage civilian and energy infrastructure. The statement also referred to the military escalation of the Houthis in Yemen.
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