Smoke visible near Riyadh airport after Saudi Arabia issues all-clear

Saudi Arabia issued an all-clear for Riyadh on Saturday following overnight alerts of potential danger. A large plume of black smoke was visible near the capital's main airport, prompting concerns. Reuters video and photographs captured the towering pillar of smoke, with the airport highway and terminal visible in the background.

Saudi civil defence had sent the alerts by phone, warning residents of possible danger in Riyadh and Al-Kharj city, located east of the capital. An all-clear was issued on Saturday morning, but Reuters journalists in Riyadh's Olaya area heard booms before the announcement. While Saudi Arabia has issued alerts before amid the US-Iran war, these were the first since the escalation with the Houthi group began in July.

The Houthi rebels, who control much of Yemen's north, have launched attacks on Saudi Arabia since declaring a naval blockade in July. Their strikes have targeted Saudi vessels in the Red Sea, threatening global oil supplies and disrupting Red Sea traffic. On Friday, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed the group had thwarted "criminal attempts" in Sanaa, blaming Saudi Arabia and vowing retaliation.

The UN Security Council condemned the Houthi attacks in the strongest terms, citing the injury of civilians, including women and children.