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Saudi Arabia issues first air raid alerts for Riyadh since Houthis escalated attacks
Residents later received the all-clear after explosions were reported in the capital.
Brief by WorldPing · Original reporting by BBC News
Black smoke seen near Riyadh amid air raid alerts in Saudi Arabia
WorldPingWhat happened
Flames and plumes of smoke were seen rising near Riyadh airport this afternoon with flights cancelled and delayed.
This as fighting between Saudi-backed government forces and Iran-backed Houthi rebels has killed 48 people in recent hours.
Key facts
- This as fighting between Saudi-backed government forces and Iran-backed Houthi rebels has killed 48 people in recent hours.
- Reported by France 24 and published Sat, 19 Sep 2026 15:16:03 UTC.
Why it matters
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What to watch next
- Official statements or denials from the governments named
- Whether other major newsrooms confirm the same details
- Any follow-up decision, vote or deadline tied to the event
Coverage timeline
When each newsroom published on this story, oldest first — all times UTC.
Saudi Arabia issues first air raid alerts for Riyadh since Houthis escalated attacks
Houthis say Saudi Arabia launched 26 strikes in Yemen over 24 hours
Yemen’s Houthis claim strikes on ‘sensitive sites' in Saudi Arabia
Black smoke seen near Riyadh amid air raid alerts in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia issues first alert in the capital since escalation, and other Mideast developments
Flames reported near Saudi capital airport as Pakistan presses Iran over energy supplies
Houthis claim attack on Saudi capital after smoke seen rising near Riyadh airport
Sources
The original report was published by France 24. WorldPing does not claim that reporting — this page summarises and contextualises it.
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