RIYADH Sept 19, 2026 – Major disruptions hit Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on Saturday after a fire at a nearby Aramco fuel storage tank sent thick black smoke over the capital, following the first air-raid alerts issued for Riyadh since the conflict with Yemen’s Houthis intensified.
Flight-tracking service Flightradar24 listed the airport at its maximum disruption index of 5.0, indicating major problems with long delays and multiple cancellations. Operations were affected through much of the day as airlines dealt with knock-on delays and some flight cancellations.
An AFP journalist at the scene reported firefighters working to extinguish flames from a burnt-out fuel tank bearing the Saudi Aramco logo near the airport. Reuters footage and photographs showed a large column of black smoke rising close to the airport highway and terminal area, with flames visible at times. Residents described seeing smoke and fire in the direction of the airport and hearing explosions earlier in the morning.
Saudi Civil Defense sent phone alerts overnight warning of a “hostile aerial threat” and urging residents in Riyadh and other cities, including Yanbu, to stay indoors. The alerts—the first for the capital since fighting with the Iran-backed Houthis escalated in July—were followed by an all-clear later Saturday morning. Journalists in Riyadh reported hearing explosions around the time of the alerts.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea claimed responsibility, saying Yemeni forces carried out two operations using “a large number of ballistic and cruise missiles and drones.” He said one targeted “sensitive sites” in Riyadh and the other hit Aramco facilities in the Red Sea port of Yanbu, resulting in “massive fires.” Sarea framed the attacks as a response to Saudi airstrikes on Sanaa.
Saudi authorities did not immediately issue a detailed public comment on the fire or the Houthi claims. The Saudi-led coalition later said air defenses intercepted a ballistic missile targeting Riyadh and thwarted other attempts against sites including Yanbu. No casualties were immediately reported in connection with the Riyadh incident.
The episode marks a notable escalation. The Houthis have intensified attacks on Saudi targets since July, including shipping in the Red Sea after declaring a blockade and seizing key coastal positions. Saudi Arabia has conducted airstrikes in Yemen in response. The fire and airport disruptions added to traveler uncertainty at one of the kingdom’s busiest hubs, with passengers advised to check flight status directly with airlines.
Saudi officials have not confirmed the precise cause of the fuel-tank fire in official statements. Independent reporting from Reuters, AFP, BBC, and others documented the visible smoke, flames, alerts, and operational impact at the airport.
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