A large plume of smoke was observed near King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday. The smoke was seen rising from an area behind what appeared to be fuel tanks. The sighting came after a warning of a potential threat was issued overnight, prompting the Saudi Civil Defense to send alerts to mobile phones in Riyadh and the city of Al-Kharj, east of the capital.
The alerts were sent out overnight, warning of a potential threat from aerial attacks in Riyadh and Al-Kharj. However, by Saturday morning, the Civil Defense announced that the threat had passed. A Reuters journalist in the Al-Ulya area of Riyadh reported hearing a loud noise before the all-clear was given. This was the first such warning in Riyadh since the escalation of tensions with the Houthi group in Yemen began in July.
The Houthi group, which controls much of northern Yemen, has been launching attacks on Saudi Arabia since July. These attacks have targeted Saudi cities and energy infrastructure, posing a threat to global oil supplies. The group has also imposed a naval blockade on the Saudi port city of Jeddah. The Houthis are backed by Iran and have been involved in a conflict with the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.
The Houthi group's military spokesman, Yahya Saree, said on Friday that the group had foiled "criminal attempts" in the capital, Sanaa, and blamed Saudi Arabia for the incidents. He also threatened to retaliate against Saudi Arabia. The Houthis have been making gains in Yemen, seizing control of the country's western coast this month.
The United Nations Security Council condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including those that have affected civilian infrastructure and energy facilities, and resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children. The Council also condemned the Houthi military escalation inside Yemen. The attacks have raised concerns about the security of the region and the impact on global oil supplies.
The incident on Saturday highlighted the ongoing security concerns in the region. The Saudi government has been on high alert since the Houthi attacks began, and the country has been bracing for further attacks. The international community has been calling for a de-escalation of tensions and a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Yemen.
The Houthi attacks have also had an impact on the global economy, particularly on oil prices. The attacks have disrupted oil supplies and raised concerns about the security of the region's energy infrastructure. The international community has been working to stabilize the region and prevent further escalation of the conflict.
Key points
- The Houthi group's attacks on Saudi Arabia have posed a threat to global oil supplies and raised concerns about regional security.
- The Saudi government has been on high alert since the Houthi attacks began, and the country has been bracing for further attacks.
- The international community has been calling for a de-escalation of tensions and a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Yemen.
