Houthi Strike Attempt Hits Saudi Aramco Building in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia confirms an attempted strike on a Saudi Aramco building in Riyadh following Houthi claims of multiple operations across the Kingdom.
The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Energy has confirmed that an attempted strike on Aramco facility infrastructure took place in the capital city of Riyadh. The incident occurred shortly after Houthi rebels claimed to have launched a series of coordinated military operations targeting strategic sites across the Kingdom.
Minor Damage Reported in Riyadh
According to an official statement from the Ministry of Energy, the target was an administrative building belonging to the state-owned oil giant, Saudi Aramco. While the attack was attempted, the ministry clarified that the impact was limited.
The official source noted that the incident resulted in falling shrapnel, which caused minor damage to the structure. Most importantly, the ministry confirmed that there were no injuries or fatalities resulting from the event. Authorities responded promptly to the scene to implement necessary safety and security measures.
Houthi Claims of Wide-Scale Operations
The confirmation from Riyadh follows bold assertions by Yahya Saree, the military spokesperson for the Houthi group. Saree claimed that the group executed six distinct military operations utilizing a combination of drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic missiles.
The Houthi spokesperson detailed a wide range of targets, claiming their operations hit:
- King Khalid International Airport and oil storage tanks, including a distillation tower belonging to Aramco in Riyadh.
- Aramco facilities located in Khurais.
- Pumping Station No. 8 in the Dawadmi region.
- Saudi military concentrations at a National Guard camp in Najran.
- Troop positions located east of the Al-Jawf Governorate, which were reportedly targeted in three separate stages.
Escalating Tensions and Regional Conflict
The Houthi group framed these attacks as a direct response to what they termed "Saudi aggression" against Yemen. These renewed hostilities mark a significant escalation following the collapse of a 2022 truce that had previously provided a pause in the devastating civil war in Yemen.
Since the breakdown of the ceasefire, the region has seen a resurgence of violence, with the Houthis repeatedly targeting Saudi energy infrastructure, military installations, and airports, leading to a volatile security situation across the border.