An explosion near King Khalid International Airport in Saudi Arabia

Following the issuance of emergency air raid warnings in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, a fire broke out in a fuel tank belonging to Aramco, the Saudi state oil company, located near King Khalid International Airport due to an explosion. This emergency situation and the fire have also disrupted air travel operations in the area.

Around 3:00 AM local time on the 19th, Saudi civil defense authorities warned residents of Riyadh and Al-Kharj about a potential aerial threat, advising them to stay indoors. These warnings, issued twice, were withdrawn approximately 30 minutes later. This marks the first time such an air raid warning has been issued in the capital since Houthi rebels in Yemen intensified their attacks against Saudi Arabia last July.

Residents near King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh reported seeing black smoke and flames rising from the area. News services report that fire brigades were immediately deployed to extinguish the fire that broke out in the Aramco fuel tanks located near the airport.

Although the Saudi government has not yet disclosed information about the exact nature or origin of the threat that prompted the warning, it is presumed to be linked to Houthi rebels in Yemen. Previously, the Houthi organization claimed to have thwarted a 'criminal attempt' in Yemen's capital Sanaa, accusing Saudi Arabia of responsibility and warning of retaliation.

Both sides have been accusing each other of recent attacks. The Houthi organization stated that Saudi warplanes launched 40 airstrikes on Yemen within 24 hours on the 16th. The following day, the 17th, Saudi Arabia condemned the Houthi organization for targeting the holy city of Mecca, a charge which the Houthis vehemently denied.