CAIRO (AP) — Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, struck the headquarters of the Saudi state-owned oil company Aramco in Dhahran during an overnight attack, according to two regional officials on Wednesday. The attack damaged the offices of the company's chief executive and other top officials, but there were no reported casualties. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, indicated that the top three floors of the building were affected. The Houthis had previously warned of targeting Dhahran with a ballistic missile.
The incident has raised concerns in the region and among global markets, particularly regarding U.S. President Donald Trump's evaluation of potential U.S. involvement in Saudi strikes against the Houthis amid ongoing tensions related to Iran. The Saudi energy ministry reported a "limited fire" at the Aramco building on Tuesday night, but Aramco did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
On Wednesday, Saudi civil defense authorities reported that debris from an intercepted strike injured one person in Riyadh. The state-run SPA news agency released images showing damage to a building and a vehicle with what appeared to be part of a missile lodged in its hood.
The Saudi-led coalition announced that it had intercepted two Houthi drones, four cruise missiles, and one ballistic missile targeting various locations, including Riyadh and Dhahran. Alerts for incoming missiles were also issued in Riyadh, although specific details were not immediately available.
The Houthis claimed the attacks were a response to what they described as "treacherous Saudi aggression" against Sanaa, the Yemeni capital they control. The rebel-run Health Ministry reported two fatalities from Saudi attacks in Yemen on Tuesday.
The Houthis have frequently targeted Saudi airports, military installations, and oil infrastructure. King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has been attacked multiple times recently, resulting in at least 18 deaths and over 300 injuries, significantly disrupting aviation in the kingdom.
The Houthis, who have gained experience from years of civil war, are viewed as Iran's most effective armed proxy, although experts note they have their own objectives. The conflict has intensified pressure on Saudi Arabia, a key U.S. ally.
The International Committee of the Red Cross reported an "unprecedented surge" in combat casualties along Yemen's front lines, particularly in Marib and Taiz, where humanitarian access has been severely restricted. Residents in Taiz expressed concerns over dwindling supplies of fuel and food, with reports of long lines at shops and scarce public transportation.
Schools in Taiz have been ordered to close for a month due to the escalating violence. A senior Houthi official indicated that regional and international efforts are underway to mediate a ceasefire, with Oman, Russia, and China involved in negotiations.
The Houthis have continued to threaten further attacks on airports and oil facilities, leading to the cancellation of over 3,000 flights across Saudi Arabia in the past week, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. The situation has highlighted Saudi Arabia's difficulties in intercepting Houthi missiles and drones, with officials noting a depletion of interceptors despite being the world's largest purchaser of U.S. weapons.
The Saudi-led coalition has also targeted oil facilities in Houthi-controlled areas, marking a new phase in the conflict. Analysts suggest that in a war of attrition, the Houthis risk losing significant military capacity.
The fighting has reignited Yemen's civil war after a period of relative calm. A resident of Sanaa expressed fear following recent Saudi strikes, noting that many people are staying home.
In a related development, a United Nations staff member detained by the Houthis was released, as confirmed by the U.N. special envoy for Yemen. However, the Houthis continue to detain 71 U.N. workers, often accusing them of being spies without formal charges.
This report includes contributions from Marzouk al-Jaberi in Taiz, Fatma Khaled in Cairo, and Sarah El Deeb in Beirut.