Riyadh (HRNW)- Yemen’s Houthi movement has claimed responsibility for a large-scale attack involving ballistic and cruise missiles and drones targeting what it described as sensitive sites in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and facilities belonging to Saudi Aramco in the Red Sea city of Yanbu.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the operation was carried out in response to Saudi airstrikes against Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. The Saudi-led coalition, meanwhile, said a ballistic missile targeting Riyadh was intercepted and reported thwarting additional attacks in several other locations.
The claims came after thick black smoke and flames were seen near King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. Firefighters were reportedly working to contain a blaze at a fuel facility, while Saudi authorities had earlier issued an aerial-threat alert to residents of Riyadh and nearby Al-Kharj. An all-clear was later announced.
The incident also disrupted air traffic at Riyadh airport, with flight-tracking information showing delays and cancellations following the overnight alerts and reported explosions. The full extent and cause of the damage at the fuel facility remain under investigation.
According to military sources cited in the reports, 48 people, including 31 Houthi fighters and 17 government personnel, were killed in ground clashes on Saturday. Separately, the humanitarian situation in Yemen has deteriorated sharply amid the renewed fighting, with UN-linked reporting indicating that more than 100,000 people have been displaced since the latest escalation began.
The escalation has also raised concerns about energy markets and regional shipping. The Houthis have expanded operations along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, while attacks and disruptions around major maritime routes have increased uncertainty over the movement of oil and other goods.
Saudi authorities have not publicly confirmed all details contained in the Houthi statement, and some of the group’s claims regarding specific targets and damage remain independently unverified.
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