RismadarVoice Reporters
September 20, 2026
Yemen’s Houthi movement has claimed responsibility for missile and drone attacks targeting what it described as “sensitive” locations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, amid a fresh escalation of hostilities in the region.
The claim followed reports of explosions in the Saudi capital and the sighting of flames and a large plume of black smoke near King Khalid International Airport.
Video footage from the area showed thick smoke rising near the airport following overnight warnings by Saudi authorities of a potential aerial threat around Riyadh.
The Houthis said they used missiles and drones in attacks against targets in the Saudi capital.
The group also claimed an attack on an oil facility belonging to Saudi Aramco in Yanbu, a major Red Sea port and energy hub in western Saudi Arabia.
Saudi authorities had issued security alerts overnight warning residents of potential danger in Riyadh and surrounding areas before subsequently giving an all-clear.
A Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis said its air defences had intercepted attacks targeting several locations in the kingdom.
However, Saudi Arabia had not publicly confirmed that the fire and smoke observed near Riyadh’s main airport were caused by a successful Houthi strike.
The latest incident represents a significant development in the renewed confrontation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis following an escalation of fighting in Yemen.
The Houthis have intensified attacks on Saudi cities, energy infrastructure and other targets as fighting between the group and Saudi-backed forces continues inside Yemen.
The growing confrontation has also raised concerns about regional security and international energy supplies, particularly as instability affects major maritime routes connecting the Gulf and Red Sea.
The United States has warned of the possibility of further escalation in the Middle East and advised its citizens in the region to remain vigilant amid potential flight disruptions and airspace restrictions.
The situation remains fluid, with regional and international attention focused on whether the latest attacks will trigger further military escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.
