Witnesses described large plumes of black smoke and flames rising from the airport's fuel storage area. Saudi civil defense sent all-clear messages to residents of Riyadh and Al-Kharj after a series of explosions were heard throughout the city. The disruption caused several aircraft to be diverted or placed in holding patterns, while reports indicated targeted strikes on cargo buildings and Aramco fuel tanks.
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
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Houthi Drones Hit Riyadh Airport Fuel Tanks in First Capital Air Alert in Years
War32 days ago
Yemen's Houthi rebels targeted storage facilities at King Khalid International Airport on Saturday, triggering flight cancellations and delays in the Saudi capital. Saudi authorities activated air raid sirens in Riyadh for the first time in years to warn residents of a hostile aerial threat before civil defense declared the danger had passed.
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