Houthis Strike Saudi Arabia, Damage Oil Headquarters
Houthis launch missiles at Saudi oil facilities, damaging Aramco headquarters. Saudi military intercepts attacks.
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Houthis, backed by Iran, launched a wave of missiles at civilian airports and oil facilities in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday night, severely damaging the headquarters of Saudi Aramco, the national oil company. The attacks targeted key infrastructure, including the top three floors of the Aramco building, where CEO Amin Nasser and other top executives operate.
Damage and Response
Saudi officials confirmed the damage to the upper floors of the Aramco building, which also houses an operations center for the company’s vast drilling and shipping network. A fire broke out on the upper floors following the attack. While the building has not been abandoned, some functions have been shifted to other offices, and some employees have been asked to work from home.
Military Response and Houthi Statements
The Saudi military coalition intercepted several Houthi missiles, including those targeting Dhahran, the city where Aramco headquarters is located, as well as missiles and drones aimed at Riyadh and al-Kharj, home to Prince Sultan Air Base. The base, used by both Saudi and American forces, saw injuries to several U.S. service members during a previous Iranian missile attack in March.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attacks and vowed to continue strikes on Saudi civilian targets. They also warned international shipping companies to evacuate employees from Saudi Arabia to avoid casualties. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree described the attacks as a “harsh and painful” response to Saudi airstrikes in Yemen.
Peace Talks and Analysts’ Views
A senior Houthi official, Mohamed al-Bukhaiti, stated the group is open to discussing a ceasefire deal, possibly mediated by Oman, provided Saudi Arabia withdraws its forces from Yemen and stops economic pressure on the Houthi movement. Analysts noted that both sides are pursuing similar strategies, with Houthis aiming to raise the cost of continued military intervention.
Impact on Saudi Economy and Travel
The escalating conflict has disrupted Saudi Arabia’s economy and travel industry, especially as major investment meetings and industry conferences were in progress. The U.S. mission to Saudi Arabia issued a warning to U.S. government employees about potential attacks on airports and travel disruptions.
Source: Breitbart
