Yemen's Houthis announced on October 14 that they would continue their attacks on Saudi airports and oil facilities. This decision follows an attack on the headquarters of the oil company Aramco in Dhahran, which reportedly caused significant damage.
Details of the Attack on Aramco
The Houthis declared these locations legitimate targets and described their attacks as retaliation for Saudi attacks on Yemen. These conflicts have once again peaked amid escalating tensions between the United States and Iran in the Gulf. Last week, Saudi Arabia faced an increase in Houthi attacks, including an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh that resulted in the deaths of 13 people.
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The attack last night on Aramco's headquarters in Dhahran led to a fire that spread to several floors. However, the Saudi Ministry of Energy stated that the attack resulted in a limited fire. Operations at Aramco are continuing as usual, and employees are working from home.
Saudi Response and Continued Tensions
Meanwhile, the Saudi-led coalition announced that a ballistic missile fired by the Houthis towards Riyadh had been intercepted, and loud explosions were heard in the Saudi capital. Saudi officials initially issued warnings about an aerial threat in Riyadh, which were quickly canceled.
In a statement released by the Houthis on Wednesday, they said that ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones had been fired towards Aramco facilities in Dhahran, Riyadh Airport, and one of Aramco's refineries in Riyadh. They also urged international shipping companies, civilians, and staff to evacuate from Saudi airports and oil facilities.
The Dhahran complex is one of Aramco's main operational centers, overseeing a vast network of oil platforms, pipelines, refineries, and export terminals. Riyadh International Airport has also been attacked four times, with the recent attack being the deadliest in the past decade in Saudi Arabia.
Due to these attacks, officials have closed the airport until October 17, and airlines have canceled their flights to Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia entered the Yemen civil war in 2015 to support the Yemeni government due to fears of increased Iranian influence and potential chaos at its borders.
The United Nations established an agreement between the warring parties in Yemen in 2022, which maintained a fragile peace until this year. However, Saudi Arabia, by resuming its military campaign in Yemen in support of the internationally recognized government, is attempting to prevent sudden advances by the Houthis.
The Red Cross also stated that hospitals in Yemen are facing a sharp increase in war casualties and are unable to respond due to the escalation of conflicts. The World Food Programme warned that vital aid to the government-controlled city of Taiz has been cut off, leaving over 600,000 people in the area dependent on humanitarian assistance without access.
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