- Riyadh’s King Khalid Airport experienced flight delays and smoke on 19 September.
- Houthi rebels claimed a drone and missile attack on sensitive sites.
- A fuel depot fire broke out near the airport grounds.
- FlightRadar24 listed the airport under its maximum disruption index.
- Saudi authorities issued an all clear on the morning of 19 September.
Riyadh’s King Khalid Airport has experienced flight delays and visible smoke following an overnight air raid alert on 19 September. Residents have reported hearing explosions before an all clear was issued. Flight tracking services have indicated a high likelihood of disruption. The incident has occurred amid escalating tensions involving Houthi forces and reflects ongoing risks to air travel in the region. Authorities have not issued detailed public statements on the cause.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed a drone and missile attack targeting “sensitive sites” in Riyadh, which sparked a fuel depot fire near King Khalid International Airport and caused widespread flight disruptions. Following overnight alerts issued by Saudi Civil Defence warning of hostile aerial threats, residents reported hearing a series of loud explosions across the capital. A massive plume of black smoke and intense flames emerged near the airport. Firefighters were seen extinguishing a blaze at a burnt-out fuel tank belonging to the state-owned oil giant Aramco located near the airport grounds. Official statements reported no casualties. Flight-tracking platform FlightRadar24 listed King Khalid International Airport under its maximum disruption index, reporting “major problems” consisting of significant delays and total cancellations.
The Houthis stated they also targeted Aramco facilities in the port city of Yanbu. The escalation followed an intensifying of regional fighting earlier in September. Saudi authorities later issued an all-clear on the morning of 19 September.
