Several explosions were heard Thursday in the Saudi capital Riyadh, including a large explosion at the city’s international airport, a witness told The Associated Press, a day after the kingdom said an attack killed one person and injured others.
The explosions had an immediate effect on oil markets and prices, as the price of crude surged and Saudi Arabia slipped further on the latest front in the war against Iran.
Neighboring Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for the new attack on King Khalid International Airport, saying the ballistic missile caused damage, but without providing evidence. The Saudis had no immediate comment on the claim.
The spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis, Major General Turki al-Malki, said it had intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis towards Riyadh, as well as a ballistic missile fired towards Khamis Mushait in the southwest, near the border with Yemen.
The Houthis have repeatedly claimed responsibility for attacks on Saudi airports, military and oil installations in recent days. On Thursday morning, rebels warned global airlines “for the last time” about the potential consequences of their operations in Saudi airspace, which they consider the theater of their military operations.
In their new statement, the Houthis also warned the Saudi population to stay away from oil installations that “represent targets for our forces” as the rebels strengthen the blockade they recently imposed on the world’s top oil exporter.
Travelers must leave their luggage and leave
King Khalid International Airport “has closed again”, monitor Flightradar24 said on X on Thursday afternoon, shortly after the explosions. “Last landing more than 80 minutes ago. Last takeoff more than 90 minutes ago.”
Firefighters and paramedics fanned out and smoke was visible, the witness said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.
The witness said outbound flights were halted and passengers were instructed to leave their checked bags and evacuate. It was not immediately known how many flights were disrupted.
On Wednesday, Saudi officials said attacks on Riyadh and Abha airports claimed by the Houthis killed three people – the first deaths since Saudi Arabia and allied Yemeni forces launched a major ground and air offensive against the rebels.
The offensive aims to retake territory that the Houthis seized a month ago along Yemen’s western Red Sea coast and in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The rebel presence on Bab el-Mandeb poses a threat to the crucial shipping alternative to the Strait of Hormuz, where traffic has been reduced due to Iranian attacks on shipping.
The deadly attacks in Saudi Arabia have drawn condemnation from countries including Britain, India, the United Arab Emirates and others, fearing an escalation.
Also on Wednesday, the spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition said forces destroyed a platform in Sanaa, Yemen’s rebel-held capital, that had been used to launch attacks on the Saudi capital. The AP could not independently verify these claims.
Pakistan and Turkey consider aid
Turkey and Pakistan are evaluating possibilities for air defense, electronic warfare and technical assistance to Saudi Arabia under a trilateral agreement, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said, while emphasizing that the agreement was defensive and not offensive.
“Turkey will not send troops to the territory of another country to carry out an attack,” he said, adding that Ankara was trying to resolve the issue through diplomacy.
Saudi Arabia has sought support from its allies, including the United States, in the face of Houthi attacks.
Pakistan’s Information Ministry said on Thursday that relevant authorities would provide details of any military involvement if necessary.
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