The command center of Saudi Aramco in the city of Dhahran was attacked on Tuesday night. The Saudi Ministry of Energy stated in a statement that this attack resulted in a limited fire, and fortunately, there were no injuries or fatalities.
Details of the Attack and Reactions
Some sources reported that a ballistic missile struck this center, damaging the top three floors of one of the operational buildings. This center is recognized as one of the main operational bases of Aramco, responsible for overseeing a vast network of oil fields, pipelines, and oil refining facilities.
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In recent days, the Houthis have launched missiles and drones at key Saudi facilities in retaliation for Saudi support of Yemeni government forces. This comes as Riyadh International Airport has also been subjected to four attacks, one of which resulted in the deaths of 13 people.
Consequences of the Attacks and Regional Tensions
The recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have been viewed as part of a response to the airstrikes by the Saudi-led Arab coalition in Yemen. A statement from the Saudi coalition indicated that following the interception and destruction of a missile in Dhahran, parts of it fell into a residential area. In this incident, four people were injured in Riyadh, and limited damage was caused to 15 homes.
On Tuesday, the Houthi group threatened to deliver a harsh and painful response to the Saudi attacks, stating that they might target facilities such as the Aramco center and an oil refinery in Riyadh. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is seeking broader support from its allies to counter these threats.
On the diplomatic front, Iran, as a regional rival of Saudi Arabia, has expressed readiness to mediate. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi raised this issue on Sunday, and it appears that recent events in Yemen and the attacks on Saudi Arabia are part of broader regional tensions.
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