Black smoke, flames rise near Riyadh airport amid Yemen strikes
Flames and a large plume of black smoke have been reported near King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, as the airport faced major flight delays and cancellations.
Images posted on social media platforms showed smoke rising from a fuel storage depot at the airport in the aftermath of the strikes. The cause and extent of the fire near the airport were not immediately known.
It comes hours after the General Directorate of Saudi Civil Defense issued its first air raid alert since the resumption of military aggression on neighboring Yemen in July.
Saudi authorities have not yet issued a statement on the incident.
Early Saturday, Saudi Civil Defense issued emergency warnings via the National Early Warning Platform to residents across Riyadh and the adjacent governorate of al-Kharj, alerting them to an immediate potential hazard.
The alert was directly broadcast to mobile devices using cellular network protocols, as multiple powerful explosions were heard in the Saudi capital.
Saudi Civil Defense officials instructed residents to remain calm, stay indoors, and shelter in interior rooms away from windows, balconies, or glass surfaces.
Members of the public were also urged to avoid open spaces, gatherings in public areas, or filming emergency operations.
According to Saudi media outlets, similar sirens also sounded in Yanbu port city on the Red Sea coast of western Saudi Arabia, al-Ula city northwest of the holy city of Medina, the cities of Khamis Mushait, Jizan and Abha in southwestern Saudi Arabia, as well as Jeddah and Taif.
The Sana'a administration announced the implementation of a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia on July 20, in response to what it characterized as an unjust and oppressive siege imposed upon Yemen for approximately twelve years.
The Yemeni armed forces have declared multiple successful military operations targeting vessels associated with Saudi Arabia across the Red Sea.
In March 2015, Saudi Arabia, in conjunction with its allies, imposed a comprehensive blockade against Yemen while simultaneously initiating an extensive military offensive.
This military offensive received substantial support from the United States and numerous Western nations in the form of military assistance, political support, and logistical resources.
The war has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Yemeni citizens. Nevertheless, Saudi Arabia has been unsuccessful in accomplishing its declared goal of restoring a subordinate administration that would advance its strategic interests.
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