- Smoke and flames seen near Riyadh airport.
- Incident caused significant delays to several flights.
- Occurred during aerial threat alert, Houthi tensions.
Smoke and flames rising from an area near the international airport in Saudi Arabia's capital city, Riyadh, were seen on Saturday, reported news agencies. Reuters reported that flight-tracking data showed “major problems” with delays to several flights.
Flames and a large plume of black smoke were seen rising near Riyadh airport on Saturday, an eyewitness said. The Saudi government media office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Several video clips emerged on social media in which thick smoke is seen rising from near the international airport. However, The Daily Jagran cannot independently verify the videos.
Saudi Arabia Issues Air Raid Alerts Across The Country
Saudi Arabia warned of a hostile aerial threat and issued a string of emergency alerts across the kingdom, including in its capital, late Friday and early Saturday. The alert in Riyadh was the first for the Saudi capital since the latest escalation with Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels. No casualties or damage were reported after the alerts were lifted.
Saudi authorities didn't say what prompted the alerts or the cause of the audible explosions, but they previously reported intercepting incoming Houthi missiles and drones.
Flames and a large plume of black smoke are seen near Riyadh's King Khalid Airport after Saudi Arabia issued an air raid alert for the capital. Saudi Civil Defense later declared the danger over. pic.twitter.com/kqaVTYxsuD
— APT News (@APT__News) September 19, 2026
Houthi Drone Kills One In Saudi
Earlier, on Thursday, debris from an intercepted Houthi drone has killed a Yemeni resident of Saudi Arabia. The Saudi civil defence said two other people were injured, including a Saudi woman and a Pakistani resident who is in critical condition, in the western province of Taif. It is the first civilian casualty since the Iran-backed rebels have increased their attacks against the kingdom, targeting Saudi shipping and oil facilities.
The debris also damaged vehicles and buildings. The statement didn't give details on when exactly this happened.
Attempt To Attack Mecca
On Wednesday, Saudi said the Iran-backed Houthi rebels had tried to attack Mecca, Islam's holiest city, with a drone that it said was intercepted. However, the Houthis denied the accusation.
On Thursday, the foreign affairs ministries of Bahrain, Jordan and Kuwait all condemned the Houthis' deadly drone attack in Taif province. The countries, which host US military bases and forces, have repeatedly come under drone and missile attack from Iran since the US and Israel launched the war against Iran on February 28.
As Houthi attacks continue, the kingdom faces a potential decision about whether to step up its military response or seek a diplomatic solution. Regional officials have recently suggested that Saudi Arabia is running low on missile interceptors and has turned to regional and Western allies for assistance.
(With Agencies Inputs)
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