Houthis Claim Missile and Drone Attack on Aramco Facility in Riyadh

Yemen’s Iran aligned Houthis said on Saturday they hit an Aramco facility in the Saudi capital with ballistic missiles and drones. The group described the strike as retaliation for Saudi attacks on Sanaa and other Yemeni provinces. A witness reported a large plume of smoke and fire near an Aramco site in Riyadh earlier in the day. Saudi authorities have not confirmed an attack, and Aramco did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Saudi-Houthi Hostilities Intensify

The reported strike comes as fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis escalates, with the group stepping up attacks on Saudi cities and energy infrastructure. Last week, the Houthis said they targeted Aramco facilities in Yanbu with missiles and drones. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted six ballistic missiles fired toward Taif and the Yanbu area and did not report damage to Aramco sites.

Why Attacks on Saudi Energy Sites Matter

Attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure raise concerns for global energy markets, which are already under pressure from the Iran conflict and disruptions to key shipping routes. Confirmation from Saudi officials and Aramco is still awaited, so the extent of any damage remains unclear.