Heavy explosions echoed across Riyadh on Thursday after Houthi forces in Yemen launched ballistic missiles at King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital. Video circulating on social media showed an aircraft parked at the airport struck by a missile and erupting in flames, with thick black smoke rising over the area.
Saudi Arabia under fire
Houthis hit Riyadh airport; plane burns
Houthi ballistic missiles struck King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital, with footage showing an aircraft on the ground engulfed in flames. The plane was reportedly empty at the time.
According to Reuters, the aircraft that was hit was empty and had been parked at the airport when it was struck. Shortly after the attack, the Houthis claimed responsibility for the missile barrage on Riyadh, and said they had also fired additional missiles at the airport in the city of Najran and at a Saudi air force base in Khamis Mushait.
Saudi authorities did not confirm reports of a direct hit on the Riyadh airport, but said they had intercepted two ballistic missiles fired by the Houthis. According to the Saudi statement, debris from the interception of one of the missiles over Riyadh caused damage to a kindergarten and a medical center.
The current Houthi strikes come after reports earlier Thursday that Saudi Arabia had launched a new wave of fighting against the Yemeni rebels, backed by Turkey and Pakistan. More than 100,000 Yemeni fighters loyal to the official government in Sana'a and supported by Saudi Arabia opened another round of combat against the Houthi insurgents in Yemen. As with previous waves of fighting, early gains have raised optimism, but the Houthis appear to be entrenched for the long term.
Fresh footage emerging from Yemen in recent days shows a pattern similar to the start of the previous round of fighting. The Houthis, operating under Saudi air superiority and reportedly with the assistance of the Pakistani air force, are retreating quickly from combat positions and abandoning heavy weapons and armored vehicles they had captured from government forces in the previous round.
