Yemen’s Houthi group vowed on Wednesday to launch more attacks on Saudi airports and oil facilities. The threat followed a strike on Saudi Aramco’s headquarters in Dhahran that reportedly caused extensive damage.
Three people familiar with the matter told Reuters that Tuesday night’s attack triggered a fire across several floors of the complex. Saudi Arabia’s energy ministry described the fire as limited. Aramco operations reportedly continued normally, with some employees working from home.
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The Houthis described Saudi airports and oil facilities as legitimate targets. They said their attacks were retaliation for Saudi military strikes in Yemen. The group claimed it had launched ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones at Aramco facilities in Dhahran and Riyadh, as well as Riyadh airport.
Saudi Arabia’s military coalition said it intercepted a ballistic missile fired towards Riyadh on Wednesday. Witnesses reported several loud booms in the capital. Authorities had earlier issued an alert over a possible aerial threat, but later lifted the warning.
Riyadh’s international airport has faced repeated attacks, including a strike on Saturday that reportedly killed 13 people. Authorities have closed the airport until October 17, while airlines have cancelled flights to Saudi Arabia. The latest escalation has also raised concerns over the country’s economic plans and oil infrastructure.
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The conflict intensified after Saudi Arabia resumed military operations in Yemen last month. Riyadh supports Yemen’s internationally recognised government, while the Houthis have made advances along the Red Sea coast towards the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. A United Nations-brokered truce in 2022 had maintained a fragile peace until this year.
The worsening fighting is also creating a humanitarian crisis. The International Committee of the Red Cross said hospitals in Yemen were struggling with rising casualties. The World Food Programme warned that fighting had blocked access to more than 600,000 people in Taiz who depend on aid, including over 200,000 women and children.