Hours after air raid alarms were issued in the Saudi capital, a column of black smoke was observed close to Riyadh’s international airport. For the first time since a recent escalation in the fight with Iran-backed Houthi insurgents in neighbouring Yemen, locals were warned and advised to remain indoors.
Since then, there have been several reported explosions in the city and significant issues at King Khalid International Airport; FlightRadar24, a tracking website, has reported lengthy delays and cancellations.
According to one story, a fuel tank close to the airport may have been set on fire. Saudi authorities have not made an official statement. Firefighters were spotted attempting to put out the flames of a burned-out fuel tank owned by the national oil and gas corporation Aramco, according to an AFP journalist.
Before giving the all-clear on Saturday morning, the Saudi Civil Defence had issued phone alerts over the night warning of possible danger in Riyadh and nearby areas. On condition of anonymity, locals told AFP that following the alarms, they heard what sounded like a volley of explosions reverberating throughout the city.
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