Saudi Arabia Issues Air Raid Alerts After Explosions Near Riyadh Airport

Saudi Arabia issued emergency alerts across the kingdom early Saturday warning of a "hostile aerial threat," marking the first such alert for the capital Riyadh since the latest escalation with Yemen's Houthi rebels. Residents reported hearing at least one explosion and seeing black smoke and flames near King Khalid International Airport.

An AFP journalist observed a fire at a state-owned Aramco fuel storage depot near the airport, with firefighters working to extinguish the blaze. FlightRadar24 reported flight cancellations and delays, classifying the airport at its maximum level of operational disruption.

“The Houthis' military escalation, attacks and threats risk further expanding the conflict, threatening maritime security and international trade.”

Saudi authorities did not identify the cause of the explosions or the origin of the threat, though the kingdom has previously reported intercepting Houthi missiles and drones. No casualties or damage were reported after the alerts were lifted.

The UN Security Council condemned the Houthi military escalation and attacks on Saudi Arabia and maritime shipping in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb strait. The 15-member body called for "practical cooperation" to prevent the Iran-backed group from acquiring arms and stressed enforcement of the UN arms embargo.

Separately, Iranian state TV reported the execution of Hossein Pedram, convicted of spying for Israel's Mossad by passing classified information on sensitive military sites in Isfahan province. The execution follows a recent surge in death penalties that has drawn international criticism from rights groups.