A video circulating claiming that a tower in Riyadh was damaged as a result of a Houthi attack.. This is its truth
An investigation by CNN reveals that the circulating clip dates back to last July and shows a limited fire in a building under construction in the Al-Sahafa District
Quick Look
CNN's investigation reveals that the circulating video clip that claims to show a fire in a tower in Riyadh after a Houthi attack is old, and dates back to last July, and shows a limited fire in a building under construction in Al-Sahafa District, and has no relation to the recent Houthi attacks.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The Houthi group continues to launch missiles and drones towards Saudi Arabia, coinciding with the continuation of the conflict between the Yemeni government, which is internationally recognized and supported by the Kingdom, and the group supported by Iran. Last Sunday, the Houthis claimed responsibility for attacks targeting sites in Riyadh, including the Aramco building in the financial district, as part of four military operations they claimed to have carried out using missiles and drones.
Social media accounts circulated a video clip claiming to show scenes of a fire in one of the towers in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, after an attack by the Houthi group.
The viral video, which has received tens of thousands of views, shows a high-rise building with flames and thick smoke visible at night, and was presented as footage of the incident.
By splitting the video into still shots and using a reverse search, we found a similar clip that was posted on TikTok on July 10.
The clip's publisher wrote, describing what was happening: "The fire is still continuing, and we ask God for safety for everyone."
There is no clear context regarding what the video showed, but the General Directorate of Civil Defense in Saudi Arabia reported at the time that “the Civil Defense in Riyadh was starting a limited fire in a building under construction in Al-Sahafa District.”
The video returned to circulation as the Houthi group continued to launch missiles and drones towards Saudi Arabia, coinciding with the continuation of the conflict between the Yemeni government, which is internationally recognized and supported by the Kingdom, and the group supported by Iran.
Last Sunday, the Houthis claimed responsibility for attacks targeting sites in Riyadh, including the Aramco building, as part of four military operations they claimed to have carried out using missiles and drones.
A missile targeted a multi-storey building belonging to the giant oil company Aramco in the financial district of the Saudi capital, on Sunday.
The official Saudi News Agency (SPA) reported on Monday that “the Deputy Emir of the Riyadh Region inspects the Aramco administrative building in Riyadh following the aggression of the terrorist Houthi militia.” The building, which suffered damage described as "limited", appeared in one of the photos published by the agency.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The Houthi group will continue to launch missiles and drones towards targets in Saudi Arabia
Likely · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Will Houthi attacks on targets in Riyadh continue?
- What is the total damage to the Aramco building?
- Will Saudi Arabia take military or diplomatic measures in response to the attacks?
