Yemen-based Houthi rebels said they targeted "sensitive sites" in Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh, and oil facilities in the port city of Yanbu on Saturday.

A statement posted to Telegram from the Iran-backed group came hours after firefighters extinguished a blaze at a fuel depot near King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital.

Earlier, residents reported hearing explosions in the vicinity, following overnight warnings by Saudi authorities of a "hostile aerial threat."

The Saudi government has yet to confirm the blasts.

What did the Houthis say?

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the rebels had "carried out two successful military operations using a large number of ballistic and cruise missiles and drones."

Saree continued: "The first targeted sensitive sites in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and the second targeted Aramco facilities in Yanbu."

He said the attacks were in retaliation for recent Saudi attacks on the Yemeni capital Sana'a.

The fresh violence comes just days after Riyadh accused the Houthis of targeting the Holy city of Mecca, which the Iran-backed militants denied as a "worn-out lie."

What do we know about the airport strike?

AFP journalists then reported hearing two explosions before the Saudi civil defence agency lifted the alert half an hour later.

"The area is under a hostile aerial threat," a message sent to Riyadh residents warned overnight, urging them to stay indoors, AFP news agency reported.

News agency Reuters later published video and photos of a large plume of black smoke rising from an area near a highway to the airport.

Saudi authorities also reported intercepting incoming Houthi missiles and drones.

Tracking website FlightRadar24 reported "major problems" at the King Khalid International Airport, listing it under its maximum disruption index.

Unravelling security situation

The latest developments come amid an escalation between the Houthisand the internationally recognized government in Yemen that is supported by Saudi Arabia.

A 2022 truce between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia fell apart in July after the rebels allowed an Iranian plane to land in Yemen's capital Sanaa, which defied the Saudis' control over Yemeni airspace.

As a result of the escalation, the Houthis announced a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia.

The group has reported dozens of Saudi strikes since its recent offensive to secure control over the coastal areas near the Red Sea's Bab al-Mandeb Strait — a vital global shipping route — from government hands.

Edited by: Zac Crellin

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