RIYADH (The COW News Digital) Massive explosions struck near King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, sending plumes of thick black smoke and flames soaring into the sky near fuel storage facilities.
According to international news agencies and video footage, the blasts occurred near an Aramco fuel depot close to the airport highway, causing widespread flight delays and cancellations. Witnesses reported firefighters attempting to extinguish blazes at damaged fuel tanks following the incident. Hours prior to the explosion, Saudi Civil Defence had issued emergency alerts to mobile phones in Riyadh and Al-Kharj, warning residents of potential airstrikes and advising them to remain indoors before later issuing an all-clear signal.
The incident marks a direct escalation impacting the Saudi capital amid broader geopolitical tensions linked to Yemen’s Houthi movement and ongoing regional conflicts involving the United States and Iran. Earlier, Saudi authorities accused Houthi forces of targeting Makkah Mukarramah, an allegation the group denied.
While Saudi authorities have initiated investigations into the cause of the blasts, government media offices have not yet issued an official response regarding the incident or the emergency alert system.
