The Houthi attack on the Aramco building, the Saudi oil giant, in the heart of Riyadh's financial district on Sunday, November 8, caused damages. According to the Saudi Ministry of Energy, windows on several floors of the Aramco building were shattered due to Houthi missile fire. However, it has been reported that this attack did not cause major structural damage and resulted in no casualties.
Escalation of Tensions and Reactions
The Houthis have claimed responsibility for this attack, which is seen as part of the escalation of conflicts between this group and the Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia. The Arab coalition has announced that the country's air defense successfully intercepted Houthi missiles in the early hours of Sunday in Riyadh. Meanwhile, some schools in Saudi Arabia have returned to in-person classes after several weeks of remote learning, and several government organizations have continued their normal administrative work.
Read more: The coalition led by Saudi Arabia intercepted Houthi ballistic missiles in eastern Saudi Arabia
Recent Houthi Attacks on Aramco Facilities
In recent weeks, the Houthis have significantly increased their attacks on Aramco facilities, including an attack on the company's headquarters in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. The Arab coalition has also announced that on Sunday, another Houthi missile was intercepted in this region, which holds most of Saudi Arabia's oil and gas reserves. In two separate statements, the coalition reported the destruction of ballistic missile launchers in the Saada and Sana'a regions that were used in the attacks on Sunday against Riyadh and the Eastern Province.
Fresh clashes between the Houthis and the Arab coalition, which supports the internationally recognized government of Yemen, have intensified following the Houthis' advance towards the Bab al-Mandab Strait in September. This strait is considered a strategic point in the region and is located on the opposite side of the Arabian Peninsula from the Strait of Hormuz. The Houthis have also increased their missile and drone attacks on Saudi ports and airports, including Riyadh International Airport.
Yahya Sari, the Houthi military spokesman, has stated that Riyadh Airport was targeted in the attacks on Sunday, but Saudi officials have not yet confirmed this. An attack in October on the airport resulted in the deaths of 13 people and injuries to over 300 others.
Saudi Arabia has reacted to the recent Houthi attacks and has begun airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. This escalation of tensions comes a day after the Houthi health ministry in Yemen reported that at least 40 people were killed in Saudi airstrikes near Sana'a. Saudi officials have also stated that they are investigating these attacks.
As a key ally of the United States, Saudi Arabia has also made requests for assistance from the United States and several European and Middle Eastern countries for defensive and offensive support against this Yemeni group. Britain also announced in October that it would deploy fighter jets for defensive missions to help protect Saudi cities from Houthi airstrikes.
Saudi Arabia has also turned to diplomatic channels, with senior officials from Riyadh, Ankara, and Islamabad, the countries of the Makkah defense pact, meeting with Iranian officials in Tehran last month. Tehran later announced that negotiations with Riyadh are ongoing to establish new regional security arrangements that include the non-interference of foreign military forces.
Read more: Attempt to attack the Aramco building in Riyadh · Cooperation agreement between the Saudi Ministry of Defense and Syria
