Blast reported at Saudi Arabia's Riyadh airport

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was evacuated on Saturday following reports of a blast, according to witnesses and local officials from multiple news agencies. However, there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, and Saudi officials had not issued a statement. AFP news reported that a witness heard an explosion while waiting to board a flight.

These reports come amidst ongoing conflict between Houthi rebels and the Saudi-backed government in Yemen. The Houthis, who are backed by Iran, have been launching strikes on Saudi targets, including the Riyadh airport, which resulted in four deaths, several injuries, and plane damage this week. Several flights from Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways were canceled between their hubs and Riyadh, with some cancellations lasting until Monday.

There was no immediate statement from the Houthis about the reported blast on Saturday. In July, Houthi rebels had gained control over strategic locations along Yemen's Red Sea coast, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to provide air support for Yemeni government forces attempting to recapture those positions. The Houthis responded by attacking Saudi Arabia, marking a significant escalation in their ongoing conflict with the Riyadh-backed government since a peace deal fell apart in July.

Last week, the Saudi-backed government in Yemen announced a counter-offensive to retake all areas held by the Houthis, particularly those near the Bab al-Mandab strait.