Houthi Drone Strikes Saudi Aramco Tower in Riyadh as Regional Conflict Escalates

An office tower belonging to Saudi oil giant Aramco was struck by a drone on Sunday in Riyadh’s prestigious financial district. Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry reported that the building sustained limited damage and that there were no fatalities or injuries. An eyewitness who spoke to Reuters described shattered windows across several floors of one of the district’s tallest towers.

Earlier in the day, loud explosions were heard across the Saudi capital after civil defense authorities issued a warning about a possible threat in the area. Officials later announced that the danger had passed. The Saudi-led military coalition reported intercepting and destroying two cruise missiles over Riyadh and southern Saudi Arabia. Neither Aramco nor the Houthis initially commented on the incident, although the Houthi movement subsequently claimed responsibility for the attack.

Escalating Houthi Attacks Target Saudi Infrastructure

The strike comes amid an intensifying conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. Since fighting resumed in July, Houthi forces have increased their missile and drone attacks against airports, ports, and energy facilities across the kingdom. Several other Aramco facilities have reportedly been targeted in recent weeks, including the company’s headquarters in Dhahran, in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province.

On Sunday, the Saudi-led coalition also reported intercepting a missile over the Eastern Province, which contains most of the kingdom’s oil and gas reserves, and destroying two ballistic missile launchers in Yemen’s Saada Governorate.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed that Riyadh’s international airport had also been targeted, although Saudi authorities did not confirm the claim. A previous attack on the airport in October reportedly killed 13 people and injured more than 300.

Saudi Airstrikes Continue in Yemen

The conflict escalated further after Houthi forces advanced toward the strategically important Bab el-Mandeb Strait in September. Saudi Arabia has responded with airstrikes in Yemen, while the Houthi-controlled Health Ministry claimed that 33 people were killed near Sanaa on Saturday. Saudi authorities announced that the incident was under investigation.

Meanwhile, many schools across Saudi Arabia resumed in-person classes on Sunday after several weeks of remote learning. Government employees also returned to their workplaces following the suspension of operations prompted by earlier attacks.