Houthis claim drone attack on Saudi Arabia's capital after smoke seen rising near airport
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis have claimed responsibility for missile and drone attacks targeting "sensitive" sites in Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh - hours after flames and smoke were seen near the city's main airport.
Tensions have escalated in West Asia following a Houthi attack on the Saudi capital, Riyadh, resulting in travel advisories and air travel disruptions across the region. On Saturday, smoke was spotted near King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, causing flight operations to be disrupted.
Meanwhile, at Delhi's international airport on Saturday night, a significant disruption unfolded thousands of kilometers away. Around 200 passengers who had boarded Etihad Airways flight EY217, destined for Abu Dhabi, faced a sudden cancellation of their journey due to a technical fault discovered on the aircraft shortly before departure. The flight, scheduled to leave Delhi for Abu Dhabi at 9:15 pm, underwent a rapid transformation for its 200 passengers.
After receiving an announcement that there was a technical issue, the passengers were asked to deboard the aircraft. They waited for a few hours, anxiously awaiting updates from the airline. Eventually, Etihad Airways confirmed the cancellation of flight EY217, leaving many stranded and scrambling to find alternative transportation for their journey.
The exact cause of the technical fault remains unconfirmed. Flight EY217 was intended to be operated using a Boeing 787-9 aircraft. This incident highlights the significant impact of regional conflicts on air travel. In Riyadh, the Saudi-led coalition forces reported successfully shooting down one of the Houthi missiles and drones aimed at King Khalid International Airport, preventing a potential catastrophe. However, the disruption extended beyond Riyadh, affecting air travel in Dubai and Sharjah as well.
Written by urgent.news from The Indian Express's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- Riyadh airport: Explosions, black smoke and flight disrupt after Saudi ‘hostile aerial threat’ alert amid Houthi attacks livemint.com
- Houthi attack targets Riyadh as Saudi Arabia faces escalating strikes thevibes.com
- Flight disruptions after Houthi attack in Saudi Arabia, Etihad cancels Abu Dhabi flight indianexpress.com
- UN and GCC condemn Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and civilians english.ajel.sa
- Flames, smoke seen near Riyadh airport; Houthis claim attacks on Saudi capital al-monitor.com
- Houthis target 'sensitive' sites in escalation of attacks on Saudi Arabia haaretz.com
- Flames, smoke seen near Riyadh airport; Houthis claim attacks on Saudi capital theage.com.au
- Flames, smoke seen near Riyadh airport; Houthis claim attacks on Saudi capital smh.com.au
