The headquarters of Saudi state oil giant Aramco was targeted in a Houthi rebel attack on the Eastern Province city of Dhahran, Saudi authorities reported. An administrative building belonging to Aramco was hit, causing a limited fire, although it is unclear if this was due to a direct hit or falling debris. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in the incident. The attack is part of an escalation between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, which has seen a series of strikes on energy infrastructure and civilian areas.
The Saudi-led coalition reported intercepting and destroying three cruise missiles and two drones targeting the Riyadh region and southern Saudi Arabia. At least four people were injured from falling debris, according to Saudi authorities. The coalition also said it had warned civilians to leave the area before launching an attack on a key fuel depot on Tuesday, which it claims was being used by Houthi rebels to support strikes on the kingdom's airports and energy facilities.
The Houthi-controlled Yemen Oil Company had denied that the fuel depot held any stocks of petroleum products, and said an attack would not affect fuel reserves or supplies. The strikes on the depot killed two civilians and injured two, according to the Houthis. The Saudi-led coalition insisted it had taken precautions to minimize harm to civilians. Coalition spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki said the operation aimed to neutralize the capabilities the Houthi militia uses to threaten the kingdom, Yemen, and maritime corridors.
The conflict between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia has intensified in recent weeks, with the Houthis announcing in July that they would target Saudi shipping in the Red Sea and infrastructure inside the kingdom. The attacks have stepped up in recent days, including repeated strikes on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport, which has been hit with devastating effect. On Saturday, 13 people were killed and over 300 wounded in what was the deadliest attack on Saudi Arabia in over a decade.
The US, UK, Spain, and Canada are among countries warning their citizens against using the King Khalid International Airport, while the US State Department has expanded travel restrictions for US government personnel in the kingdom. Employees now require special authorization from the chief of mission to use any airport in Saudi Arabia. The attacks have exposed vulnerabilities in the kingdom's defense capabilities as it wages its air campaign in support of Yemen's internationally recognized government.
The Yemeni government forces have claimed to have made continued advances in the military operation, dubbed "Dawn of Yemen." In the past 24 hours, its forces carried out 2,200 strikes against Houthi positions, killing around 1,200 fighters and destroying or disabling over 440 military vehicles and other assets. The Houthis have vowed further attacks against economic and aviation targets within Saudi Arabia, warning that they would target facilities belonging to Aramco and the King Khalid International Airport.
The conflict has resulted in significant humanitarian concerns, with reports of civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure. The situation remains volatile, with both sides trading accusations and vowing further action. The international community has expressed concern at the escalation, with the US and other countries calling for restraint and a negotiated solution to the conflict.
Key points
- Houthi rebels target Saudi Aramco headquarters, spark limited fire, amid escalating conflict with Saudi Arabia
- The conflict has resulted in significant humanitarian concerns, with reports of civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure
- The international community has expressed concern at the escalation, with the US and other countries calling for restraint and a negotiated solution to the conflict
