Houthi Rebels Claim Missile Strike on Aramco Facility South of Riyadh

Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for a ballistic missile and drone attack on an Aramco oil facility south of Riyadh that caused visible flames and smoke, while the Saudi-led coalition described the claim as misleading and reported striking Houthi targets in Yemen, killing hundreds of fighters.

Houthi Claim of Attack on Riyadh Aramco Facility

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for a fire that broke out at an Aramco oil refinery in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Saturday. [1] Houthi military spokesperson Brigadier Yahya Saree said that the alleged attack was in response to the "unjust siege and the launching of aggressive airstrikes" from Saudi territory. [1] ”The Yemeni Armed Forces carried out a military operation using several ballistic missiles and drones, targeting Aramco in the capital of the Saudi enemy, Riyadh," Saree said in a statement posted on social media. [1] "The operation successfully achieved its objective, by the grace of God. The strikes were accurate and direct, resulting in fires breaking out at the targeted sites.” [1] Saree added, "We will continue to impose the equation of “siege for siege” and “escalation for escalation,” and to target the Saudi enemy’s military mobilisations until the aggression stops and the siege on our beloved country is lifted.” [1] Earlier on Saturday the Houthis claimed to have attacked a site south of Riyadh belonging to Saudi oil giant Aramco. [2] Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for attacks in Riyadh, including on facilities belonging to Aramco, the world’s largest oil company. [3] The Houthis have accused Saudi Arabia of launching dozens of strikes on Sanaa, warning that they will continue to respond to any escalation with further escalation. [3]

Saudi-Led Coalition Response

The Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s government has called the statement “misleading.” [1] The Saudi-led coalition battling the group said claims by Yemen's Houthis that they attacked Riyadh are "misleading". [2] A spokesperson for the Saudi-led coalition, General Turki al-Maliki, told Saudi-owned media outlet Asharq Al-Awsat late Saturday that the Houthis were "chasing imaginary victories". [2] In comments to the Britain-based outlet, he said they were struggling in Taiz, Yemen's third most populous city, which is currently largely held by government forces. [2] The Saudi-led coalition backing Yemen’s government said it carried out operations against Houthi militia early on Sunday, killing hundreds of fighters. [1] Saudi-backed Yemeni army says 700 Houthis killed in 24 hours. [4] The head of Yemen’s governing body Rashad al-Alimi has announced the start of military operations to retake the remaining territory held by the Houthis in the country. [4]

Houthi rebels claim missile and drone strike on Aramco facility south of Riyadh. — Source: thenewarab

Independent Observations and Immediate Aftermath

An AFP journalist in the area saw flames and smoke rising from the facility, but Saudi authorities have not commented. [2] This follows reports from residents of flames and smoke rising from an oil facility on the outskirts of the Saudi capital. [3] An AFP journalist saw flames at an oil facility near the Saudi capital. [2] Saudi authorities have not commented directly on the incident at the site south of Riyadh. [2]

Recent Houthi Territorial Advances

The Houthis captured the strategic city of Mokha and a number of Red Sea islands last month, extending their reach to the key Bab el-Mandeb Strait. [1] It was the Houthis’ biggest land grab in years and ended a 2022 ceasefire that largely stopped major fighting in Yemen’s 12-year civil war. [1] Fighting has intensified, with the Houthis launching a lightning offensive last month that saw them seize control of coastal regions along the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait. [2] They have also struck targets inside Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, and announced a naval blockade on its ships in the Red Sea. [2]

Broader Context of Renewed Civil War

A major escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Iranian-backed Houthis has revived Yemen’s civil war. [1] Fighting between the Iran-backed Houthis and Yemen's internationally recognised government, which is supported by Saudi Arabia, reignited in July, with the group also launching numerous attacks on Saudi territory. [2] After several years of calm, Yemen was plunged back into civil war in July, pitting the Houthis, who control most of northwest Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, against the country's government and its longtime Saudi backers. [2] The government, based in the city of Aden, controls much of Yemen's south and east - a region that is larger but less populated. [2] Recent fighting has centred on Taiz. [2] While the Houthis have conquered swathes of territory, they have yet to wrest control of Taiz city away from the government. [2]

Yemen's Houthis claim ballistic missile and drone attack on Aramco oil facility south of Riyadh. — Source: france24

Prior Incidents and Ongoing Threats

The rebels claimed a separate attack last month on an Aramco facility in Yanbu but Riyadh said it had intercepted the missiles and no damage was reported. [1] Last month the Houthis also claimed to have attacked an oil facility in the Saudi port city of Yanbu, a major oil terminal on the Red Sea. [2] In recent weeks, renewed violence in the country has killed hundreds and displaced tens of thousands. [1] Recent fighting has killed hundreds and displaced tens of thousands. [2]

What to watch next: The Saudi-led coalition said it will continue operations against Houthi targets, while the Houthis warned they will respond to any escalation with further escalation and maintain their announced naval blockade on ships in the Red Sea.