Saturday, Sep 19, 2026
1 Aramco Fuel Tank Burns Near Riyadh Airport as Houthis Claim Attacks↩︎ ⚔️ War Sep 19, 8:18 AM EDT 170/55
Flights were canceled or delayed at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on Saturday as flames and black smoke rose from a nearby Aramco fuel tank. Yemen’s Houthis claimed attacks on the Saudi capital and Aramco facilities in Yanbu using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group targeted “sensitive and important” sites in Riyadh and claimed both operations caused large fires. He did not specifically identify the airport as a target. Yanbu is home to a major Red Sea oil export terminal.
Saudi military spokesman Gen. Turki al-Maliki said air defenses intercepted and destroyed a Houthi ballistic missile launched toward Riyadh before dawn and thwarted attacks on civilians and civilian sites in Bish, Taif, Farasan and Yanbu. Saudi authorities issued two waves of danger alerts for Riyadh and al-Kharj overnight, followed by all-clear notices.