Saudi Arabia Intercepts Missiles and Drones After Striking Yemen Fuel Depot

Saudi Arabia was hit by multiple explosions and intercepted missiles and drones on Tuesday night after the Saudi-led coalition struck a key Houthi-controlled fuel depot in Sanaa, Yemen, in an escalation of the conflict.

Saudi Coalition Strikes Fuel Depot in Sanaa

The Saudi-led coalition targeted the Yemen Petroleum Company's al-Sabaha central station fuel facility on the outskirts of Sanaa after warning residents to evacuate. [2] The facility held no petroleum stocks, according to the Houthi-run company. [4] The coalition carried out the strikes as part of an operation aimed at neutralizing Houthi capabilities to attack Saudi Arabia, Yemen and international waterways using sites in Sanaa, Hodeidah and Dhamar. [3] Houthi-run Al-Masirah television reported that the coalition had targeted the facility, and the Associated Press reported witness testimonies of several explosions across Sanaa after the strikes. [2] The Yemen Petroleum Company, which is run by the Houthis, issued a statement that sought to reassure residents by saying the facility does not contain any stock of petroleum products and that it had taken all necessary precautionary measures to address any emergency. [4]

Explosions and Interceptions Across Saudi Cities

Explosions and blasts were reported in Riyadh, Dammam and Dhahran on Tuesday night. [2] Four missiles and two drones were intercepted near Riyadh, with debris causing injuries and damage. [4] The Saudi-led coalition said that it intercepted three missiles and two drones fired by the Houthis toward Riyadh and Aramco's headquarters in Dhahran. [5] Maj Gen Turki al-Maliki said several projectiles targeting the Saudi capital and other cities were intercepted after the coalition carried out the strike on the al-Sabaha facility. [4] Four people were injured and 15 homes sustained limited damage in Riyadh after debris from two intercepted missiles fell on the capital, according to the state news agency SPA. [5] The injured included two women, a man and a child. [5]

Strike on Aramco Facility in Dhahran

An Aramco administration building in Dhahran was hit, resulting in limited fire. [4] Loud booms were heard near Aramco headquarters and employees were told to work from home. [5] The initial interception announcement regarding Dhahran came after loud booms were heard in the area. [5] Missile fragments fell in a nearby residential area in Dhahran. [4] A source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters the Aramco headquarters had been struck, adding that it was unclear whether the building was hit directly or by falling debris. [5] An evacuation order for the building had been issued. [5] Aramco employees were instructed to work from home on Wednesday. [5]

Context of Houthi Attacks and Saudi Retaliation

The strikes follow Houthi attacks including a Saturday missile strike on Riyadh airport that killed 13 people, the deadliest in Saudi Arabia in a decade. [3] Another person was killed in a similar attack there the following day. [4] The Houthis vowed a harsh response and renewed warnings to oil workers. [3] The Saudi cabinet, chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, said the group would face consequences. [4] The Houthis have said they are targeting airports, oil and gas facilities, and military bases in Saudi Arabia with missiles and drones in response to deadly Saudi strikes on territory that they control in western Yemen, including Sanaa. [4] The Saudi cabinet issued a statement saying the Houthis would bear the consequences of their recent deadly attacks on the kingdom. [4]

Broader Yemen Conflict and Regional Spillover

The coalition said the operation aimed to neutralize Houthi capabilities to attack Saudi Arabia, Yemen and international waterways using sites in Sanaa, Hodeidah and Dhamar. [3] Saudi Arabia resumed its military campaign in Yemen in support of the internationally recognised government in a bid to reverse the Houthis’ sudden gains last month when they swept down the Red Sea coast to the critical Bab el-Mandeb Strait. [3] The strait has become a more vital route for Saudi and other global energy supplies since the start of the Iran war in February. [3] US President Donald Trump spoke to Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday and told reporters that the Houthis were behaving very badly. [3] Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday that Ankara would stand by the kingdom. [3] Hundreds of people have reportedly been killed in Yemen since August, including at least 54 civilians according to the UN's human rights office. [4]

What to watch next: The Houthis have threatened to target the Saudi Aramco headquarters in Dhahran and an oil refinery in Riyadh, while the Saudi cabinet has stated that the group will bear the consequences of its attacks.