Smoke and flames near Riyadh airport cause major flight disruptions

A plume of smoke and flames erupted near Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on Saturday, prompting loud booms that were heard by nearby residents. The incident occurred hours after Saudi authorities issued the capital’s first security alert since the recent escalation of hostilities with Yemen’s Iran‑backed Houthi rebels, marking a heightened state of vigilance across the city.

Preliminary reports from a journalist on the ground identified an Aramco fuel storage tank adjacent to the airport as the source of the fire. Emergency services were dispatched to contain the blaze, and authorities have not confirmed any injuries or damage to airport operations at this time. The event underscores the broader security concerns linked to the ongoing regional conflict, and officials continue to monitor the situation while urging the public to remain alert.