Riyadh: Yemen’s Houthis said on Saturday they had targeted an Aramco facility in the Saudi capital with ballistic missiles and drones, describing the operation as retaliation for Saudi attacks on Sanaa and other Yemeni provinces.
A large plume of smoke and fire was visible near an Aramco facility in Riyadh earlier that day. The witness account established that a fire was visible but did not independently confirm the Houthis’ description of the weapons used or the extent of damage.
Saudi authorities had not immediately confirmed an attack on the facility, while Aramco had not responded to Reuters’ request for comment.
The claim comes amid escalating hostilities between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, with the group stepping up attacks on Saudi cities and energy infrastructure.
Last week, the Houthis said they had targeted Aramco facilities in Yanbu with missiles and drones. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted six ballistic missiles fired towards Taif and the Yanbu area, without reporting damage to Aramco facilities.
The latest claim follows reports that Riyadh is considering a Yemeni ground offensive supported by Saudi airstrikes. Options described by officials included an operation around the Bab al Mandab Strait or coordinated attacks on several fronts.
Separately, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye are preparing an emergency meeting in Riyadh under their Makkah defence agreement to assess the regional situation.
Saudi authorities have yet to confirm the reported attack, and the extent of any damage remains unknown.
