The Houthi rebels in Yemen announced on Saturday that they had carried out military operations against sensitive targets in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and an Aramco facility in Yanbu on the Red Sea coast. According to Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree, the operations involved a large number of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones. The attacks were confirmed hours after explosions were heard in the Saudi capital and a fuel tank caught fire near Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport.
The Houthis claimed that their operations targeted sensitive areas in Riyadh and the Aramco facility in Yanbu, accusing Saudi Arabia of targeting the Yemeni capital, Sanaa. The attacks caused significant disruptions at the airport, with flights experiencing long delays and some being cancelled. According to flight tracking website FlightRadar24, the situation was categorized as having reached maximum levels of disruption before operations returned to normal.
A fuel tank belonging to Aramco caught fire near Riyadh's airport, with eyewitnesses reporting a large fire and black smoke rising towards the airport. Firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze as authorities investigated the cause of the fire. The incident occurred after residents in Riyadh received an alert about an aerial threat, advising them to stay indoors.
The alert was issued just before 3 am local time, with authorities warning of an "enemy air threat" in the area. The alert was lifted about 30 minutes later, but not before two explosions were heard in the city. The incident marked the first time such an alert had been issued in Riyadh since the current escalation of tensions with the Houthis.
The Houthi rebels have been engaged in a conflict with the Saudi-backed Yemeni government since the resumption of military operations in July. The rebels have targeted Saudi cities and infrastructure, including Aramco facilities, in recent weeks. The Saudi-led coalition has responded with airstrikes and other military actions against Houthi targets in Yemen.
The latest attacks come amid heightened tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi rebels, who are supported by Iran. The conflict has resulted in significant humanitarian suffering and infrastructure damage in Yemen. The international community has called for a de-escalation of the conflict and a return to peace talks.
The Houthi rebels' claims of attacking sensitive targets in Riyadh and the Aramco facility in Yanbu have not been independently verified. However, the incidents highlight the ongoing risks and challenges in the region, where multiple conflicts and tensions are currently playing out.
Key points
- The Houthi rebels claim to have targeted sensitive areas in Riyadh and an Aramco facility in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia.
- The attacks caused significant disruptions at Riyadh's airport and resulted in a fire at an Aramco fuel tank.
- The incident highlights the ongoing escalation of tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
