A Saudi Aramco, the largest oil company in Saudi Arabia, suffered damage this Sunday in Riyadh after an attempt of attack against the capital. According to the Saudi Ministry of Energy, the fall of fragments onto the facilities caused damage of a limited nature, although no injuries or deaths have been recorded.
The incident occurred after Saudi air defenses intercepted several projectiles aimed at different regions of the country. The military coalition led by Saudi Arabia attributed the launching of the missiles to Yemen’s Houthi rebels, although the group had not initially claimed the attack against Aramco’s offices.
A Reuters witness observed shattered windows in several plants of the Aramco tower, located in the King Abdullah financial district of Riyadh. The company had not made public statements about the damage at the time the information was published.
Saudi Arabia intercepts missiles aimed at Riyadh
Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed two cruise missiles that were headed toward Riyadh and the southern region of the country, according to a statement by the spokesman of the military coalition, Turki al Maliki.
The operation took place after the authorities issued emergency alerts in different areas of the kingdom due to the possibility of new attacks. The warnings were later withdrawn once the civil protection services confirmed that the danger had passed.
The Ministry of Energy explained that fragments from the attempted attack fell on an administrative building linked to Saudi Aramco and caused limited material damage. The authorities activated the corresponding procedures to deal with the incident.
Saudi Aramco is back in the spotlight of attacks
The new episode occurs weeks after Saudi Aramco’s central facilities in Dhahran, in the eastern part of the country, suffered significant damage during another attack. That incident caused a fire in several plants of the complex, although the company’s operations continued to function normally, according to Reuters reports.
The repetition of attacks on Saudi energy infrastructures increases concern for the security of the kingdom’s strategic facilities. The Eastern Region concentrates much of Arabia Saudí’s oil and gas reserves and houses the company’s main headquarters.
Tensions rise between Arabia Saudí and the Houthis
The incidents are set within the military escalation between Arabia Saudí and the Houthi rebels in Yemen. The coalition led by Riyadh has been intervening in the Yemeni conflict since 2015, in support of the internationally recognized Government against the insurgency that controls Sana’a.
In recent weeks, the Houthis have intensified their attacks with missiles and drones against Saudi targets, including energy facilities, airports, and other infrastructures. For its part, Arabia Saudí has carried out airstrikes against insurgent positions in Yemen.
The new wave of clashes occurs after the deterioration of the truce that had significantly reduced hostilities since 2022. The situation keeps Saudi authorities on alert to the risk of new attacks against its main urban and economic centers.