Houthi Missile Attack Damages Aramco Tower in Riyadhਹੂਤੀ ਮਿਜ਼ਾਈਲ ਹਮਲੇ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਿਆਧ ਦਾ ਅਰਾਮਕੋ ਟਾਵਰ ਨੁਕਸਾਨਿਆ

Missiles fired from Yemen struck Saudi Arabia's capital on Sunday morning, damaging a tower belonging to state oil giant Aramco in Riyadh's King Abdullah Financial District, as air defences intercepted the attack. No one was injured, Saudi authorities said.

Witnesses told the AFP news agency that several floors of the Aramco tower were damaged, with shattered glass and part of the facade torn away. Video circulating on social media, verified by CNN, showed windows blown out across several floors of the building.

What happened in Riyadh?

Loud explosions were heard across the Saudi capital on Sunday morning as missiles were fired towards the city. The Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen's Houthis said its air defences intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched towards Riyadh, coalition spokesman Maj Gen Turki al-Maliki said in a social media post. The coalition said it also intercepted two cruise missiles and a drone over Riyadh and the southern regions, and another ballistic missile aimed at the oil-rich Eastern Province.

Saudi Arabia's Energy Ministry said in a statement that an administrative building belonging to Saudi Aramco in Riyadh was subjected to an attempted attack, and that falling shrapnel caused minor damage to the building, with no injuries or fatalities. The Houthis have not claimed responsibility for the attack.

A widening campaign

The strike marks a sharp escalation in the Houthis' campaign against Saudi Arabia. A 2022 truce that paused fighting in Yemen's long-running war collapsed in July, and the Houthis have since struck Saudi airports, energy infrastructure and military sites. In recent months they have targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, and the Ras Tanura and Rabigh oil refineries.

The attack came a day after the Houthi-run Health Ministry said 33 people, including eight women and 13 children, were killed and 39 wounded in coalition air strikes on al-Shariyah village near Sanaa. That toll could not be independently verified. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree said the coalition carried out 105 air strikes in 24 hours and claimed the Houthis ran six operations against Aramco facilities, Riyadh airport and Saudi military positions.

Why it matters for Indians in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is home to one of the largest Indian workforces anywhere in the world, including many workers from Punjab, and the widening attacks have already disrupted travel. Earlier in the week, Houthi attacks on Saudi airports forced an Air India flight from Delhi to Riyadh to turn back mid-air, and India issued an advisory for its nationals in the kingdom. Saudi Civil Defence issued an early-warning alert on Sunday for several areas of the Eastern Province, including Dhahran, home to Aramco's headquarters, before later saying the danger had passed.

The kingdom's education ministry announced late on Saturday that in-person schooling would return in Riyadh after weeks of remote learning following an earlier wave of strikes.

Was anyone hurt in the Aramco tower attack?

No. Saudi Arabia's Energy Ministry said falling shrapnel caused minor damage to the building and no injuries or fatalities were reported.

Who carried out the attack?

The Houthis have not claimed responsibility, but the Saudi-led coalition said the missiles were launched by the Houthi militia from Yemen.

Is it safe for Indians in Saudi Arabia?

India has issued an advisory for its nationals in Saudi Arabia, and travellers should follow local authority guidance and check flight status before travelling.

What happened to flights to Riyadh?

Earlier in the week, an Air India Delhi-Riyadh flight turned back mid-air after Houthi attacks hit Saudi airports. Passengers should check with their airline for the latest status.