Explosion over Saudi capital Riyadh – days after missiles aimed at the city
- Saudi Arabia has been opposed to several missile attacks by Huthi rebels in Yemen
- An explosion was going down windows in Riyadh with some reporting hearing two explosions
- On Saturday, the Saudi-led coalition said it was introducing a ‘hostile air target’
At least one high riot erupted in Riyadh on Tuesday three days after the kingdom seized a project over the Saudi capital.
There was no immediate response from authorities in Saudi Arabia, which has been under attack by missiles or drones from neighboring Huthi rebels in neighboring Yemen since 2015.
An explosion spread windows across the Saudi capital at around 1pm (10m GMT), AFP reporters and residents said. Some residents said they heard two explosions on social media.
Unconfirmed photos circulating on social media say they show the explosion in the sky over Riyadh on Tuesday
On Saturday, the Saudi-led coalition, which supports Yemen’s internationally recognized government against Huthis, said it had captured and destroyed a ‘hostile air target’ towards Riyadh, state television reported.
The brief statement did not identify where the target came from and the Huthis said they were not involved.
King Khaled Riyadh International Airport said there had been several flight delays following what happened on Saturday.
Saudi Arabia has been leading a military intervention against the Huthis since 2015 and is once again the target of cross-border attacks.
Flight radar shows planes being sent to other airports after Tuesday’s explosion
Windows exploded across the Saudi capital at around 1pm (file photo)
It is rare, however, for drones or missiles launched by the Huthis to reach the kingdom’s capital – about 700 kilometers (435 miles) from the border.
The incident comes just days after Joe Biden was sworn in as U.S. president, replacing Donald Trump.
On Monday, the new administration freezes sanctions on dealing with the Huthis for one month as it reviews a blacklist of terrorism submitted under Trump that aid agencies issue a warning that will add to the humanitarian crisis .
Relief groups say they have no choice but to deal with the rebels, who control much of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa.