Houthi Missiles Target Saudi Aramco and Civilian Infrastructure
The Houthi insurgents, backed by Iran, have once again launched missiles at Saudi Arabia, focusing on civilian airports and oil facilities. This recent strike, occurring on Tuesday night, has resulted in significant damage to the headquarters of Saudi Aramco, the country’s national oil company.
According to Saudi officials, the top three floors of the Aramco building were impacted, including offices for CEO Amin Nasser and other senior executives. This building also harbors an operations center crucial for managing the company’s expansive drilling and shipping network.
The Saudi energy ministry reported that a fire erupted in the upper levels of the Aramco structure following the missile assault. Some reports suggest that while the building remains functional, certain operations have been relocated to other offices, and employees have been advised to work from home.
The coalition led by Saudi Arabia announced that they successfully intercepted a missile aimed at Dhahran, where Aramco’s headquarters is situated, along with drones and missiles directed at Riyadh and al-Kharj, which houses the Prince Sultan Air Base.
This air base is used by both Saudi and American military forces, and notably, several American personnel sustained injuries during a previous Iranian missile attack on the base back in March.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for the missile strikes, threatening to continue their attacks on civilian targets in Saudi Arabia. They also cautioned international shipping companies to evacuate their personnel from the country to prevent any casualties.
Military spokesperson Yahya Saree commented on the situation, indicating that operations targeting Saudi facilities would persist and described the recent attacks as a “harsh and painful” reprisal for Saudi airstrikes in Yemen.
Moreover, Houthi official Mohamed al-Bukhaiti expressed a willingness to negotiate a ceasefire, suggesting Oman might serve as a mediator, contingent on Saudi withdrawal of forces from Yemen and lifting economic pressures against the Houthis.
The AP noted that Saudi Arabia has also been conducting strikes on oil facilities in Yemen, including a significant fuel depot near Sanaa that was reportedly aiding hostile military actions.
Analyst Ahmed Nagi commented that both sides seem to be employing similar strategies amid the escalating conflict. He pointed out that the Houthis aim to elevate the stakes for continued Saudi military involvement by targeting vital infrastructure.
In contrast, the Saudis might face greater risk and have a lower threshold for enduring pain compared to the Houthi forces. The conflict’s rapid intensification arrives at a challenging time for Saudi Arabia, coinciding with a busy period of investment meetings and industry conferences, while air travel to the nation has drastically faltered.
On Tuesday, the U.S. mission in Saudi Arabia issued a notice advising American government employees to obtain special permission before using any airports in the Kingdom due to the recent missile threats.
The bulletin cautioned U.S. citizens about the potential for airport attacks, flight cancellations, and travel disruptions, urging extreme caution if they decide to travel by air in Saudi Arabia.
Additionally, the U.S. mission reiterated a warning from Saudi authorities indicating that sharing information regarding missile and drone attacks may lead to legal repercussions.
Concerns about posting images or videos of attacks, which could aid enemy targeting and amplify the psychological impact of bombings, were also reiterated in the bulletin.
On the same day, President Donald Trump remarked that the Houthis are “behaving very badly,” reflecting on their renewed aggression after a period of silence. He noted that this resurgence might be at Iran’s encouragement, criticizing Iran’s current state as one of significant economic distress.
Trump went on to state that, despite his absence from the elections, he remains committed to addressing these issues post-election, emphasizing a strong stance against the ongoing threats posed by the Houthis.
