A commercial aircraft belonging to Saudi Arabia’s national carrier, Saudia Airlines, was heavily damaged after catching fire at an airport terminal in Riyadh on Thursday, as Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels intensified attacks on the kingdom, raising concerns over aviation safety and energy infrastructure.
The aircraft was reportedly struck by shrapnel from an intercepted missile or another projectile while parked at the terminal, according to three sources briefed on the incident.
The sources said no passengers were believed to have been on board when the incident occurred, although they could not rule out possible injuries.
Footage verified by Reuters showed thick black smoke and flames rising from Riyadh airport.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for an attack on the airport and warned workers to stay away from energy facilities, which they said would also be targeted.
The latest attacks came amid renewed fighting in Yemen’s civil war, with the Houthis seeking to retaliate against Saudi Arabia for its support for government forces battling the rebels.
Saudi Arabia, in turn, is backing an offensive by Yemen’s internationally recognised government to recover territories controlled by the Houthis.
Saudi officials said debris from an intercepted missile struck a kindergarten and a medical complex in Riyadh.
The attacks followed strikes on Riyadh and Abha airports earlier in the week that killed three people, according to Saudi authorities.
The escalating violence has disrupted air travel, with Lufthansa and Air India announcing the suspension of flights to Riyadh.
Data compiled by aviation analytics firm Cirium showed that almost half of departures from Riyadh airport had been cancelled by 1500 GMT on Thursday, while another 31 cancellations were expected across Saudi airports on Friday.
Flight-tracking service FlightRadar24 also reported numerous delayed arrivals and departures at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh.
Airport authorities advised travellers to contact their airlines to confirm flight arrangements before heading to the airport.
Several multinational companies operating in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District directed employees to work from home after loud explosions were heard on Thursday morning, according to five people familiar with the matter.
Some schools also reportedly instructed parents to keep children sheltered, while some diplomats said they had received security warnings.
The renewed conflict has drawn regional powers closer to the fighting, which has intensified following the wider US-Iran war.
Saudi Arabia has sought assistance from allied countries, including Turkey and Pakistan, as it attempts to reverse Houthi advances in southwestern Yemen near the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Turkey said on Wednesday that it was sending mainly defensive and technical support to Saudi Arabia.
A Turkish official said the assistance was expected to include military equipment, intelligence sharing and weapons systems.
Meanwhile, Syria is considering providing military assistance to Saudi Arabia, with options ranging from defensive support against Houthi attacks to a possible offensive deployment.
However, a diplomat said Damascus remained focused on domestic priorities, including recovery from its own civil war.
The fighting in Yemen resumed in recent weeks after a ceasefire reached in 2022 had largely halted hostilities.
The Houthis seized additional stretches of the Red Sea coast last month, including areas near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical passage for international shipping.
Saudi-backed government forces subsequently launched a counteroffensive, recovering some territory around the strait.
However, the Houthis have also made gains, surrounding Taiz, Yemen’s third-largest city, after capturing territory along its main mountain road to Aden.
The renewed fighting has displaced about 200,000 people since the conflict escalated, adding to the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, one of the poorest countries in the Arab world.
