Key Takeaways
- Yemen’s Houthis claimed responsibility for strikes on Riyadh and Aramco facilities in Yanbu.
- The attacks come amid heightened tensions between the US and Iran.
- Saudi Arabia’s main international airport experienced significant disruptions.
Yemen’s Houthis have launched strikes targeting sensitive sites in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, and oil facilities in Yanbu, according to a statement on Telegram.
The attacks, which reportedly involved ballistic and cruise missiles and drones, are the first since the resumption of Yemen’s long-standing civil war.
In response, the Yemeni Armed Forces stated that they carried out two successful military operations, targeting both Riyadh and Aramco facilities in Yanbu.
Following the strikes, a large plume of smoke was visible near Riyadh’s main airport, with aircraft tracking websites reporting major issues at the airport, including cancellations and delays.
Smoke was seen on a fuel tank emblazoned with the logo of the Saudi oil giant Aramco, near King Khalid International Airport, according to an AFP journalist.
Saudi Arabia sent alerts to residents of Riyadh and the city of Al-Kharj, east of the capital, warning of potential danger, before issuing an all-clear on Saturday morning.
Residents in Riyadh reported hearing booms and feeling their windows shake, indicating the intensity of the attacks.
The Saudi civil defence agency lifted the alert half an hour after it was issued, though some residents remained anxious due to the delayed all-clear signal.
The attacks have further shaken a global economy already under pressure from the ongoing conflict between the US and Iran.
