World · India Bureau
Houthi Attacks Target Saudi Oil Infrastructure Near Riyadh
Yemen's Houthi movement launched coordinated missile and drone strikes against Saudi Arabia's capital and energy facilities, triggering explosions and a major fire near Riyadh's airport. The attacks disrupted flight operations and marked a significant escalation in ongoing regional tensions.
LSN India ·
The Iranian-backed Houthi militia claimed responsibility for coordinated strikes targeting Riyadh and Saudi Aramco installations in Yanbu on Wednesday, deploying both missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles in the assault. The attacks resulted in multiple explosions and a substantial fire that erupted near Riyadh's main airport, forcing authorities to suspend or divert flights as emergency response teams mobilized to the affected areas.
Saudi Arabia's military confirmed its air defense systems were activated to intercept incoming projectiles, though officials acknowledged that some weapons penetrated the defensive perimeter. The fire near the airport was extinguished after several hours, with no immediate confirmation of casualties or the extent of infrastructure damage.
The oil and gas sector was a primary focus of the strikes, reflecting the Houthis' strategy of targeting Saudi Arabia's economic lifeline. The attacks on Aramco facilities in Yanbu, a key petrochemical hub on the Red Sea coast, underscored the group's capability to conduct complex, multi-target operations across significant distances.
The incident marks an intensification of cross-border hostilities between the Houthis and Saudi-led coalition forces engaged in Yemen's protracted civil conflict. Regional observers noted the precision and coordination displayed in the attack, suggesting continued advancement in the group's drone and missile capabilities despite international sanctions and military pressure.