Smoke and flames billow over Riyadh airport in Saudi Arabia as Houthi rebels gain ground

Smoke and flames billowed out near Riyadh's international airport today amid reports of explosions. Saudi Arabia had earlier warned of a 'hostile aerial threat' and issued a string of emergency alerts across the kingdom, including in its capital, late Friday and early Saturday. Two residents of the Saudi capital reported seeing black smoke and flames emanating from the area near Riyadh King Khalid International Airport. Images showed thick plumes of smoke engulfing the Saudi city's blue skies. Aircraft tracking website FlightRadar24 reported major issues at the Saudi capital's travel hub, including cancellations and delays.The airport was listed under the site's maximum disruption index of 5.0, meaning the airport was seeing 'major problems with long delays and several cancelled flights'.The disruption follows an overnight air raid alert issued by Saudi authorities, the first since fighting in neighbouring Yemen intensified this month.Hours after the early morning alert, residents told AFP on condition of anonymity that they heard what sounded like another round of explosions echoing through parts of the Saudi capital. Smoke and flames billows out near Riyadh's international airport following reports of explosions The alert in Riyadh was the first for the Saudi capital since the latest escalation with Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebelsThe alert in Riyadh was the first for the Saudi capital since the latest escalation with Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels.No casualties or damage were reported after the alerts were lifted. Saudi authorities didn't say what prompted the alerts or the cause of the audible explosions, but they previously reported intercepting incoming Houthi missiles and drones.Earlier this week, the Houthis were accused of launching a drone towards the holy city of Mecca. The developments come as fears are growing of a new global oil supply crisis after Houthi rebels seized the strategic islands of Greater and Lesser Hanish in the southern Red Sea after attacking a Saudi pipeline.The Iran-backed group have been fighting a civil war in Yemen against a Saudi-led coalition since 2014.The Iran conflict has forced Saudi Arabia to shift its exports away from the Persian Gulf, since Iranian attacks have stifled shipping through the gulf's sole exit, the Strait of Hormuz.Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree was quick to dismiss Saudi claims that the group had targeted Mecca, after widespread condemnation. 'Our operations target its oil facilities and military bases, which are far removed from the sacred sites,' he said.File image: outhi troopers stand guard during a protest against Saudi Arabia, in Sana'a, Yemen, 18 September 2026 Supporters of Yemen's Houthi rebels chant and raise rifles during a rally organized to celebrate the group's capture of Mayun Island on September 11Mecca is regarded as the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and is the holiest city in Islam.Muslims who are physically and financially able are required to make the pilgrimage to the city at least once in their lifetime, with millions travelling there each year.Major General Turki al-Maliki, the spokesman for the Saudi-led Coalition Forces, condemned the attempted attack on X, writing: 'This hostile attempt will also remain a black mark in the record of violations by the extremist terrorist Houthi militia, as a deliberate act intended to provoke the feelings of millions of Muslims.'He vowed to take any 'necessary and deterrent measures' against the group.The U.N.'s most powerful body said late Friday that the Houthis' military escalation, attacks and threats 'risk further expanding the conflict, threatening maritime security and international trade,' while undermining regional and international efforts to secure peace in Yemen.It warned that continued escalation would exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation in the country.The council's 15 members called for 'practical cooperation' to prevent the Iran-backed Houthis from acquiring arms, military training, financing and other military-related assistance needed to carry out their attacks. They stressed that all countries must enforce the U.N. arms embargo against the rebel group. It also came as Iran's state TV reported on Saturday that a man identified as Hossein Pedram was executed after being convicted on charges of spying for Israel's intelligence agency Mossad.The report said Pedram passed on to Israel classified information on 'sensitive military sites' in Iran's Isfahan province. It didn't say how he accessed the classified information.Pedram was reportedly arrested after those sites, which included missile bases, were targeted in the 12-day air war by the U.S. and Israel against Iran in June last year.A recent surge of executions in Iran prompted an international outcry by human rights groups.