A ballistic missile struck the headquarters complex of Saudi Aramco in Dhahran on Tuesday, damaging an office tower in the first attack on the oil giant's corporate nerve centre since the escalation of the Saudi–Houthi conflict, Reuters reported citing a company source.
What happened
The company source told Reuters the missile hit an office tower at the complex, damaging its top three floors, and that the building was on fire. Saudi Arabia's Energy Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday that authorities had responded late Tuesday, that the fire was limited, and that there were no injuries or deaths.
The Dhahran complex hosts a major operations centre overseeing Aramco's onshore and offshore rigs, pipelines, refineries and export terminals.
Escalation context
The strike follows a week in which Houthi forces have fired ballistic missiles and drones at key Saudi sites in retaliation for Saudi backing of government forces in Yemen's reignited civil war. Riyadh airport has been struck four times, including a Saturday attack that killed 13 people — the deadliest in Saudi Arabia in a decade. The Houthis had threatened a "harsh and painful" response to Saudi strikes on Sanaa, with spokesman Yahya Saree naming the Aramco headquarters in Dhahran and a Riyadh oil refinery as possible targets and warning oil workers to stay away.
Saudi Civil Defence said on Wednesday that four people were injured in Riyadh after fragments from two intercepted Houthi missiles fell and damaged 15 homes; drones and missiles were also intercepted over Riyadh and the southern region, and the Saudi-led coalition said fragments of an intercepted missile fell on a residential area in Dhahran.
The attack lands against a backdrop of high global oil prices, with Brent crude at or above $100 a barrel for more than a month, and continuing disruption around the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has offered to mediate in the conflict through foreign minister Abbas Araqchi.
Sources: Missile hits headquarters of Saudi Aramco, source says, as Houthi conflict escalates — Reuters via GMA News | Aramco headquarters hit as Houthis widen attacks on Saudi Arabia — Bloomberg via Moneyweb
What happened
The company source told Reuters the missile hit an office tower at the complex, damaging its top three floors, and that the building was on fire. Saudi Arabia's Energy Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday that authorities had responded late Tuesday, that the fire was limited, and that there were no injuries or deaths.
The Dhahran complex hosts a major operations centre overseeing Aramco's onshore and offshore rigs, pipelines, refineries and export terminals.
Escalation context
The strike follows a week in which Houthi forces have fired ballistic missiles and drones at key Saudi sites in retaliation for Saudi backing of government forces in Yemen's reignited civil war. Riyadh airport has been struck four times, including a Saturday attack that killed 13 people — the deadliest in Saudi Arabia in a decade. The Houthis had threatened a "harsh and painful" response to Saudi strikes on Sanaa, with spokesman Yahya Saree naming the Aramco headquarters in Dhahran and a Riyadh oil refinery as possible targets and warning oil workers to stay away.
Saudi Civil Defence said on Wednesday that four people were injured in Riyadh after fragments from two intercepted Houthi missiles fell and damaged 15 homes; drones and missiles were also intercepted over Riyadh and the southern region, and the Saudi-led coalition said fragments of an intercepted missile fell on a residential area in Dhahran.
The attack lands against a backdrop of high global oil prices, with Brent crude at or above $100 a barrel for more than a month, and continuing disruption around the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has offered to mediate in the conflict through foreign minister Abbas Araqchi.
Sources: Missile hits headquarters of Saudi Aramco, source says, as Houthi conflict escalates — Reuters via GMA News | Aramco headquarters hit as Houthis widen attacks on Saudi Arabia — Bloomberg via Moneyweb
