Houthis strike Riyadh airport and attempt ballistic missile hit on Saudi capital
Yemen's Houthi rebels escalate attacks on Saudi Arabia, hitting Riyadh's airport and targeting the capital directly for the first time as the Iran war opens a new front.
What to know
- Riyadh has been directly targeted for the first time in this round of fighting, marking a major escalation of the Houthi-Saudi conflict tied to the wider Iran war.
- Saudi Arabia says it has asked France, Britain, Pakistan and Egypt for air-defense support because US interceptor stockpiles have thinned.
- The Houthis and Saudi-led coalition dispute several claims, including a downed F-15 and an alleged strike near Mecca, which the Houthis deny.
- The fighting is disrupting a region near major shipping and oil infrastructure, adding new pressure on markets.
The dispute Whether the West owes Saudi Arabia any defense support at all, versus prioritizing scarce interceptors and allied resources for Ukraine or withholding help altogether. · positions read across 113 posts and comments
Saudi Arabia does not deserve outside help and should face the consequences of its alliances and actions.
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“Hey France, UK, Pakistan and Egypt... do nothing. They have spent billions buying an American President... let them suffer the consequences of their poor investment.”
camlyn.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
The US is no longer a reliable ally, and Saudi Arabia is finding that out.
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“We are no longer a superpower nor a reliable ally. Trump has decimated our standing in the world.”
donadickinson.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
A wealthy Saudi Arabia should be able to defend itself rather than depend on foreign militaries.
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“Would I be way off track if I said Saudi Arabia is a pretty wealthy country and should honestly figure out how to defend itself?”
amyp-nobs.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
Any air-defense assistance from France, the UK and others should go to Ukraine instead of Saudi Arabia.
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“As a Brit, I'd rather see them go to Ukraine.🤷♀️”
jennytonks.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
Houthi movement (Ansar Allah) Iran-backed rebel group in YemenAbdul-Malik al-Houthi Houthi leaderTurki al-Maliki Saudi-led coalition spokesmanSaudi Arabia (government) Target of the escalating Houthi campaignUnited States Saudi Arabia's main ally and arms supplier
How it unfolded 8 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesvideospostscomments
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8
Saudi Arabia confirms attempted ballistic missile attack on Riyadh
Saudi Arabia said the Houthis tried to attack Riyadh at dawn with a ballistic missile, the first time the capital itself has been targeted in this escalation; the Saudi-led coalition said the missile was intercepted and destroyed, while the Houthis separately claimed a drone-and-missile attack on Riyadh airport.
“successfully intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi terrorist militia…”
— Turki al-Maliki, Saudi-led coalition spokesman -
first by Globe and Mail, 4d ago · also UPI, Sydney Morning Herald, CNBC, Japan Today, Channel News Asia, Al-Monitor +6
9 more headlines
- Flames, smoke seen near Saudi Arabia's Riyadh airport Globe and Mail · 4d ago
- Houthis claim attack near Riyadh airport UPI · 4d ago
- Houthis claim attack on Riyadh airport Sydney Morning Herald · 4d ago
- Flames, smoke seen near Riyadh airport; Houthis claim attacks on Saudi capital Sydney Morning Herald · 4d ago
- Yemen’s Houthis claim attack on Saudi capital after fuel depot burns at airport The Australian · 4d ago
- Houthis claim drone attack on Saudi Arabia's capital after smoke seen rising near airport Sky News · 4d ago
- Saudi Arabia says Houthis tried to attack its capital, and other Mideast developments Philadelphia Inquirer · 4d ago
- Watch: Smoke over Riyadh airport after Houthi's major attack on Saudi Arabia Times of India · 4d ago
- Saudi Arabia says Houthis tried to attack its capital NPR News · 4d ago
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first by bbc.co.uk, 5d ago · also Bloomberg Politics, Philadelphia Inquirer, Al-Monitor, Times of Israel, Bangkok Post, AP News +3
6 more headlines
- Saudi Arabia Issues Rare Air-Raid Alerts for Riyadh Bloomberg Politics · 5d ago
- Saudi Arabia issues alerts across the country for aerial threat, and other Mideast developments Philadelphia Inquirer · 5d ago
- Saudi capital issues first air raid alert since renewed fighting in Yemen Al-Monitor · 4d ago
- Saudi capital issues air raid alert Bangkok Post · 4d ago
- Saudi Arabia issues air raid alerts across the country, and other Mideast developments AP News · 4d ago
- Saudi Arabia issues first alert in the capital since escalation, and other Mideast developments Chicago Tribune · 4d ago
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RE: https:// journa.host/@ScottLucas/117301 533463959933 # Houthis strike near # Saudi capital # Riyadh --- Fire reported in fuel tank close to Int'l Airport Witnesses report 2 explosions early Saturday # SaudiArabia # Yemen # BabAlMandeb https:// eaworldview.com/2026/09/us-war -on-iran-mecca-saudi-arabia-claims-houthi-drone/
2 more of the top 3 · 31 posts in this stretch
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The counterpoint is that he was losing support because of foreign propaganda and outside intervention, namely through sanctions and a total blockade of Iranian oil. Mossadegh felt he was acting for the good of Iran to nationalize its oil industry and that the oil boycott force by the UK through intercepting tankers with Iranian oil was illegal…
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Flames and smoke seen near Riyadh airport; Houthis claim attacks on Saudi Arabian capital https://www. reuters.com/world/middle-east/ saudi-civil-defence-sends-all-clear-after-danger-warning-capital-riyadh-2026-09-19/
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Houthis strike Riyadh's King Khalid airport with drones
For the first time in four years, the Houthis struck King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh with drones, hitting jet fuel tanks and sending a plume of black smoke over the airport, according to Reuters.
“BREAKING: For the first time in four years, Yemen's Houthis have struck Saudi Arabia's King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh with drones, hitting the main jet fuel tanks, with flames and a massive plume of black smoke over the airport…”
— @HormuzLetter -
first by Dawn, 4d ago · also Reuters, Channel News Asia, Al-Monitor, Indian Express, Jerusalem Post, Euronews +9
13 more headlines
- Flames, smoke seen near Riyadh airport after Saudi warning of aerial attack threat Reuters · 4d ago
- Smoke at Riyadh airport as Saudi capital issues first air raid alert amid renewed Yemen fighting timesofisrael.com · 4d ago
- Flames, black smoke seen near Riyadh airport, eyewitness says Reuters · 4d ago
- Flames, smoke seen near Riyadh airport after Saudi Arabia warning of aerial attack threat Indian Express · 4d ago
- Flames, black smoke spotted near Riyadh airport, eyewitness reports Jerusalem Post · 4d ago
- Flames and smoke spotted at Riyadh's King Khalid airport after overnight air raid alert Euronews · 4d ago
- Smoke and flight delays at Riyadh airport after air raid alert Politico Europe · 4d ago
- Smoke seen near Riyadh airport after air raid alerts in Saudi capital BBC · 4d ago
- Saudi Arabia: Plume of black smoke near Riyadh airport Deutsche Welle EN · 4d ago
- Thick smoke seen near Riyadh airport after air-raid alerts in Saudi capital Mastodon · 4d ago
- Black smoke seen near Riyadh amid air raid alerts in Saudi Arabia France 24 EN · 4d ago
- Black smoke, flames rising near Riyadh airport after Saudi authorities issue air raid alert Le Monde EN · 4d ago
- Riyadh airport explosion prompts Saudi Arabia to issue air raid alerts as Houthi fighting escalates Washington Examiner · 4d ago
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first by Al-Monitor, 4d ago · also Middle East Eye, BBC Middle East, BBC, NYT, SCMP, ABC Australia
6 more headlines
- In Significant Escalation, Houthis Attack Saudi Capital Mastodon · 4d ago
- Houthis claim attacks on Riyadh, Aramco facilities in Yanbu Middle East Eye · 4d ago
- Houthis claim attack on Saudi capital after smoke seen rising near Riyadh airport BBC Middle East · 4d ago
- In Significant Escalation, Houthis Claim Attacks on Saudi Capital NYT · 4d ago
- Houthis claim attacks on Saudi capital, after flames seen near Riyadh airport SCMP · 4d ago
- Fire erupts near Riyadh airport as Houthis claim attacks on Saudi capital ABC Australia · 4d ago
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BREAKING: For the first time in four years, Yemen's Houthis have struck Saudi Arabia's King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh with drones, hitting the main jet fuel tanks, with flames and a massive plume of black smoke over the airport, per Reuters. Saudi Arabia lost its
2 more of the top 3 · 14 posts in this stretch
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Authorities also issued warnings for Jeddah and Yanbu, a major industrial port and home to vital oil facilities
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🔴 BREAKING Air Raid Alerts and Explosions Near Riyadh Airport Explosions were heard and major disruptions reported near Riyadh airport following air raid alerts in the Saudi capital. The incident highlights ongoing security threats and military activity in the region, though specific details regarding the source of the attacks or extent of damage…
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- 1 day quiet
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Houthi leader denies his forces targeted Mecca
Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi rejected the Saudi accusation that his forces tried to hit Mecca, calling it a fabricated propaganda claim.
“one of the "ugliest propaganda lies" against the Houthis…”
— Abdul-Malik al-Houthi -
🇸🇦🇾🇪 Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi is denying that his forces tried to target Mecca. He calls the accusation one of the “ugliest propaganda lies” against the Houthis and insists no rational person in the Muslim world would believe it. That’s in response to Saudi Arabia
1 more of the top 2 · 3 posts in this stretch
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No, we should definitely trust the word of MBS. I mean the whole Kashoggi saga has proven that they are a reliable government that never lies.
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Falling debris from intercepted drone kills one person
Saudi civil defense said debris from a Houthi drone that was intercepted fell and killed one person, adding a civilian casualty to the escalating exchanges.
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first by Anadolu Agency, 6d ago · also The National UAE, Straits Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, AP News, Jerusalem Post, Yahoo +2
5 more headlines
- One killed and two injured by Houthi drone debris in Saudi Arabia's Taif The National UAE · 6d ago
- One killed as Saudi Arabia intercepts drone launched by Yemen's Houthis Straits Times · 6d ago
- Saudi Arabia says debris from an intercepted Houthi drone killed 1, and other Mideast developments Philadelphia Inquirer · 6d ago
- At least one killed, two injured after Saudi Arabia intercepts drone, likely launched by Houthis Jerusalem Post · 6d ago
- Saudi Arabia says it shot down Houthi drone south of Mecca Mastodon · 6d ago
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1 outlet first by Philadelphia Inquirer, 6d ago · read ↗
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apnews.com/article/yeme... civil defense says falling debris from intercepted Houthi drone kills 1
2 more of the top 3 · 3 posts in this stretch
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# CNN # News Houthis release video claiming to show downed Saudi F-15 fighter as Iran-backed rebels press their lightning advance
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i’m sure they already asked. they’ve had a mutual secret security deal for years
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Saudi Arabia asks allies for air-defense help as US interceptors run low
AP reported Saudi Arabia asked France, Britain, Pakistan and Egypt to deploy air-defense support, noting the United States — Saudi Arabia's main ally and arms supplier — has seen its own interceptor stockpile dwindle.
“.. the Saudis have asked France, Britain, Pakistan and Egypt to deploy air-defense support to the region .. because Saudi Arabia's main ally and arms supplier, the United States, has seen its own stock of interceptors dwindle ..”
— AP -
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AP: “.. the Saudis have asked France, Britain, Pakistan and Egypt to deploy air-defense support to the region .. .. because Saudi Arabia’s main ally and arms supplier, the United States, has seen its own stock of interceptors dwindle ..” @apnews.com
2 more of the top 3 · 51 posts in this stretch
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Saudi Arabia accused Yemen's Houthis on Wednesday of launching a "cowardly" attack targeting Islam's holy city of Mecca, sparking outrage across the Muslim world. The Houthis swiftly rejected as a "lie" Riyadh's statement that it had shot down a drone heading towards Mecca, which attracts millions of pilgrims each year. FRANCE 24's Emerald Maxwell…
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Who wants to be “friends” with a country that will send jets into their buildings and dismember journalists?
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Houthis claim strikes on Aramco Yanbu facility and Khamis Mushait base
The Houthis said dozens of ballistic missiles and drones hit Saudi Aramco's Yanbu oil facility, causing large fires, and that additional missiles struck the Khamis Mushait air base — the first time the group claimed responsibility for a fire at an Aramco site.
“BREAKING: Yemen's Houthis announce they struck Saudi Aramco oil facilities in Yanbu with "dozens of ballistic missiles and drones," with precise and direct hits causing "massive fires and widespread destruction"”
— @HormuzLetter -
first by Middle East Eye, 4d ago
1 more headline
- Houthi missiles on Riyadh and other cities intercepted, Saudi coalition says Middle East Eye · 4d ago
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BREAKING: Yemen's Houthis announce they struck Saudi Aramco oil facilities in Yanbu with "dozens of ballistic missiles and drones," with precise and direct hits causing "massive fires and widespread destruction," the first time the Houthis have taken responsibility for the fire
2 more of the top 3 · 6 posts in this stretch
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🚨 Saudi Arabia says its air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it entered the holy city’s restricted airspace. The Houthis deny targeting Mecca. # SaudiArabia # Mecca # Yemen # Houthis # MiddleEast Read more at The Levant Files https://www. thelevantfiles.org/2026/09/sau di-arabia-intercepts-houthi-drone.html
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WATCH: Yemen's Houthis release footage claiming to show the shootdown and wreckage of a Saudi F-15 fighter jet in Marib province.
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Saudi coalition intercepts Houthi drone headed for Mecca
The Saudi-led coalition said it shot down a drone before it reached Islam's holiest city, calling pilgrims' security a "red line"; the Houthis denied targeting Mecca and called the accusation propaganda.
“Saudi Arabia says it intercepted a drone before it entered Islam's holiest city, calling pilgrims' security a 'red line'”
— Al Jazeera -
14 outlets first by Independent UK, 8d ago · also Philadelphia Inquirer, NPR, Time Magazine, Premium Times Nigeria, Globe and Mail, NBC News +7 · read ↗
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12 outlets first by Hindustan Times, 8d ago · also Al-Monitor, Firstpost, Rediff, SCMP, Channel News Asia, Dawn +5 · read ↗
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Saudi Arabia said it shot down a Houthi drone on the outskirts of Islam's holiest city Mecca on Tuesday – prompting swift regional condemnation. Houthi officials denied targeting Mecca.
2 more of the top 3 · 4 posts in this stretch
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🟠 UPDATE US Military Confirms Munitions Shortfall Due to War with Iran Saudi-led coalition intercepted a Houthi drone south of Mecca. The US House voted to rein in Trump's powers regarding the war, and Trump expressed openness to negotiations. 📰 https://www. msn.com/en-us/news/news/iran-w…
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Mecca is 100% more important to Saudi Arabia then a pipeline. You can repair pipelines, you cannot repair the reputational damage and backlash that occurs if a missile strikes a site that EVERY Muslim must visit at least once in their life.
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Houthis claim they downed a Saudi F-15 fighter jet
Iranian-linked sources and Houthi statements claimed a Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 was shot down over Al Jawf/Marib province in Yemen; the Houthis later released footage claiming to show the wreckage.
“WATCH: Yemen's Houthis release footage claiming to show the shootdown and wreckage of a Saudi F-15 fighter jet in Marib province.”
— @clashreport -
9 outlets first by NY Post, 7d ago · also Al Jazeera, ThePrint, RTE News, The Hindu, Al-Monitor, Investing.com News +2 · read ↗
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9 outlets first by NYT, 8d ago · also Jerusalem Post, Euronews, ZeroHedge, WSJ, The War Zone, TWZ +2 · read ↗
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Islamic regime sources claim that an #RSAF 🇸🇦 F-15 was downed by the Houthis over Al Jawf province, Yemen. No confirmations as of now.
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Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet
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first by France 24 EN, 4d ago · also Straits Times, The Hindu
2 more headlines
- Black smoke, flames seen near Riyadh airport; flights cancelled, delayed Straits Times · 4d ago
- ‘Major problems’ at Riyadh airport, with flights cancelled, delayed: Flightradar24 The Hindu · 4d ago
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first by KRDO, 7d ago · also KEYT-TV, CNN
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first by NYT, 4d ago · also NYT Middle East
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first by FT, 4d ago · also Financial Times
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first by Japan Times, 7d ago · also The Times of India
1 more headline
- 'Nauseating lie': Houthis deny targeting Mecca; claim strike on Saudi F-15 The Times of India · 7d ago
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first by Anadolu Agency, 7d ago · also NY Post
1 more headline
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first by Middle East Eye, 7d ago · also Jerusalem Post
1 more headline
- Yemen's Houthis say they attacked Saudi airbase in Khamis Mushait, Aramco facilities in Yanbu Jerusalem Post · 7d ago
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first by Guardian US, 7d ago · also Guardian
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first by The Independent, 8d ago · also Independent UK
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first by France 24 EN, 8d ago · also France 24
and 8 smaller pieces
What people are saying 12 voices from 4 sites · best of 113 · verbatim
- Will France, Britain, Pakistan or Egypt actually deploy air-defense assets to Saudi Arabia?
- How depleted are US interceptor stocks, and can they be replenished quickly?
- Yesterday
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When reduced to the arcing uppy-downy ones then yes ballistics sound easier, the reality of flying a missle moving at several times the speed of sound through a designated window from the edge of space is a little more complex. Terrain following in reality would likely be the easier option of the two requiring as little as a altimeter and and…
- Sep 20
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Who said anything about good guys or bad guys? I'm talking about the small state/big state dynamic in regional wars and its relationship to geopolitics as a whole (specifically a big state attempting to enforce hegemony over the smaller state through hard power). I fucking hate virtue signaling comments like this that try to put words in someone…
- Sep 19
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I'm not disagreeing with you. But I sat down to consider if we did a day-trip to a location where we go hiking sometimes. It struck me that it would not be a slam-dunk that we'd get there and back on a charge. Especially not in winter. I'm not at all trying to say it can't be done. That particular highway has at least 1 charging rest center that I…
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It's not like those billions are laying around. They are in banks all over the world, out of reach. It is family based, I don't know all the details of how succession works, but they'll probably need to wipe out quite a few people at once, people that might be across the world in general. So let’s envision how this goes down: you, a Saudi royal…
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PROTEST. EVERY DAY. General strike. Every day. Boycott everything. Don’t stop til they’re gone. Shut down the economy. Revolt. Change the system. If the dumbest people in your country have so much power they can plunge the rest of the world into a recession then your system is broken. Your system allowed massive amounts of disinformation to…
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⚡ NEWS Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia Near Riyadh Flames and smoke were observed near Riyadh airport following Houthi rebel attacks, causing flight cancellations. Fighting between Saudi-backed forces and Iran-backed Houthis has killed 48 people recently, as rebels launch missiles and drones into Saudi Arabia after seizing territory in Yemen. 📰…
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🟠 UPDATE Saudi-led naval coalition prepares to secure Red Sea waterways A plume of smoke and flames rose near Riyadh's main international airport on Saturday, with an Aramco fuel tank reportedly on fire. Residents heard loud booms hours after Saudi authorities issued the first alert for the capital since the latest... 📰 https://www…
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Judging by the smoke, and 2 sources on the ground confirming it, 2 Aramco fuel thanks, north of the RSA were hit and are on fire King Khalid Airport Riyadh, #KSA 🇸🇦
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🔴 BREAKING Saudi Arabia Issues First Air Raid Alerts for Riyadh Amid Houthi Escalation Saudi Arabia issued its first air raid alerts for the capital, Riyadh, following an escalation in Houthi attacks. Residents received all-clear notifications after explosions were reported in the capital, marking a significant intensification of the conflict's…
- Sep 16
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Hey France, UK, Pakistan and Egypt... do nothing. They have spent billions buying an American President... let them suffer the consequences of their poor investment.
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Amazing. Does SA do anything for anyone else, ever, except murder people?
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The Saudis are out of ideas and oil is down tonight. LOL