The attack came early Saturday after Saudi authorities issued emergency alerts warning residents of a potential aerial threat.

Residents reported hearing explosions, while a large column of black smoke was seen rising near King Khalid International Airport.

Reuters video and photographs showed thick black smoke and flames in the airport area, including near what appeared to be fuel-storage facilities.

Saudi authorities reported no casualties or confirmed damage from the missile attack on Riyadh.

Houthis Claim Missile and Drone Operations

The Houthis said they carried out missile and drone attacks against what they described as "sensitive sites” in Riyadh.

The group also claimed to have targeted facilities belonging to Saudi oil giant Aramco in the Red Sea port city of Yanbu, one of the kingdom’s strategically important energy hubs.

Saudi Arabia’s military coalition said its air defences also thwarted attacks targeting Yanbu, Taif, Bish and Farasan, including attempted strikes against civilian infrastructure.

The Houthi claims regarding specific targets and damage have not been independently verified.

First Riyadh Attack of Latest Escalation

The attempted strike represents the first reported Houthi attack targeting Riyadh since the latest escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Yemen-based movement began in July.

The confrontation has intensified rapidly, with the Houthis launching attacks against Saudi cities, energy infrastructure and maritime interests.

The fighting has also expanded along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, close to the strategically important Bab al-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s major maritime trade and energy routes.

The escalation is raising international concerns because disruption around both the Red Sea and other Gulf shipping routes could affect global energy supplies and commercial shipping.

International Concern Growing

The United Nations Security Council has condemned continuing Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, including strikes affecting civilian and energy infrastructure.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts are continuing to prevent the Saudi-Houthi confrontation from developing into an even broader regional war.

Turkey has said it is prepared to assist Saudi Arabia with military needs under a recently signed trilateral defence agreement involving Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan.

Iranian officials, meanwhile, have publicly called for an end to the fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.

The latest attack on Riyadh highlights the growing risk that the conflict could further threaten major cities, energy infrastructure and strategic shipping routes across the Middle East.

Waagacusub.net