Houthi Strike Hits Aramco Tower in Riyadh
Shrapnel damaged the state oil company's headquarters during morning rush hour, causing a gaping hole in the 30-story structure.
By Andrew Yang ·
The Houthi militia launched a missile attack on Riyadh's financial district on Sunday, striking a 30-story office tower owned by Saudi Aramco.
Saudi Energy Ministry officials reported that the building sustained minor damage from falling shrapnel and that no one was injured. Authorities stated that defense systems intercepted three missiles earlier in the day. Visual evidence from the scene showed shattered windows and black scorch marks. One floor of the tower appeared severely damaged, leaving a large opening in the facade.
Yahya Saree, a military spokesperson for the Houthis, confirmed the group launched several aerial strikes on Aramco facilities and other sites. He described the attacks as retaliatory measures. The financial district houses the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, international corporate offices, and a major metro station. It is one of the most prominent areas targeted by the militia.
The strike occurred during the morning rush hour at the start of the Saudi work week. It was unclear how many people were inside the Aramco tower when it was hit. Some employees in the district had been working from home as a precaution. The attack also coincided with the return of in-person schooling after weeks of remote classes. At one local school, teachers moved students into classrooms for shelter as emergency alerts sounded on mobile phones and loud booms shook the windows.
The conflict has intensified since July, when a fragile truce began to unravel. Saudi Arabia and the Houthis resumed full-scale war last month after the Yemeni government declared a new military campaign with Saudi backing. Near-daily Houthi attacks have disrupted life in the capital of roughly 8 million people. A previous strike on the capital's airport last month killed at least 14 people and injured more than 300, forcing a weeks-long shutdown of flights.
Inside Yemen, the fighting has caused widespread displacement and casualties. The World Health Organization reported that nearly 1,800 people have been killed and more than 300,000 have been displaced since the war reignited. On Saturday, Houthi health officials said Saudi airstrikes hit a village east of Sanaa, killing at least 27 people and wounding 30 others. The Saudi government did not immediately respond to inquiries about those strikes.
Syria is preparing to send fighters to Saudi Arabia to help defend its border against Iranian-backed rebels, according to three officials familiar with the plans. Syrian military advisers are already deployed in the kingdom, though no fighters have yet been sent to Yemen. These officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly.
