New Delhi: A missiles launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels hit Saudi Aramco's executive headquarters in Dhahran, triggering a fire and heightening tensions between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition. Saudi Arabia's Energy Ministry confirmed the incident, accordingly to the reports.
emergency response teams quickly contained the fire at a administrative buildings within the state-owned oil company's headquarters. Authorities reported no casualties and said damages was limited with operations continuing after the strike. Aramco had not issued a immediately public comment.
Saudi oil infrastructure faces Growing Threats
The Tuesday attack followed a warning from Houthi military spokesperson Yahya saree, who requested civilians and workers to evacuate Saudi oil facilities. The warning came after the Saudi-led coalition called for civilians to leave the Yemeni oil Company's al-Sabah central station in Houthi controlled Sanaa forward of planned military operations.
Saudi energy infrastructure has faces repeated threats during the escalating confrontation. According to to reports , a earlier Houthi attack forced the shutdown of the Jazan refinery while another targeted a major oil export terminal on the Red Sea.
An Aramco pipeline transportation crude oil to international markets was also temporarily shut down following a earlier attack launched from Iraq. Dhahran is a major center of Saudi Arabia's energy industry, hosting Aramco's headquarters alongside important petroleum facilities and military installations.
Airports and Strategy Sites also targeted
The Houthis have expanded their campaign beyond oil facilities with missiles and drone attacks reported targeting Saudi airports, including king Khalid international airport in Riyadh. Al Jazeera reported at least 18 deaths and hundreds of injuries in attacks over recent days. The Saudi led coalition also said it intercepted three Houthi drones north of Riyadh on Tuesday.
Saudi Airstrikes Intensify Yemen conflict
The latest developments followed Saudi led airstrikes in Yemen. Reports indicated explosions in Sanaa after coalition plane targeted the al-Sabah oil facilities while strikes on Ras Jesus port and fuel infrastructure in Hodeidah province.
saree warning that further Saudi strikes on Sanaa would prompt a “harsh and painful” response against Riyadh and other strategic sites. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's cabinet, chaired by crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, warning of consequences for attacks on civilian infrastructure. The latest exchange underscores the growing risks to energy supplies and critical infrastructure as the regional conflict intensifies.