Houthi Missile Attacks Hit Saudi Aramco HQ and Riyadh
On October 13, 2026, a series of Houthi missile attacks targeting Saudi Arabia's energy infrastructure and residential areas caused significant damage and widespread disruption across the Kingdom.
Severe Damage at Saudi Aramco Headquarters
A ballistic missile struck an administrative building at the Saudi Aramco headquarters in Dhahran, located in the Eastern Province. While the Saudi Energy Ministry described the incident as a "limited fire" with no casualties, reports from the ground suggest more extensive damage than officially acknowledged.
The blaze reportedly affected multiple floors, spanning from the sixth to the tenth. The upper three floors sustained severe structural damage, notably in the area near the office of CEO Amin Nasser. Due to the impact, operations at the headquarters have been disrupted, with many staff members currently working remotely.
Civilian Injuries in Riyadh and Al-Kharj
As Saudi air defenses engaged multiple incoming threats over Riyadh and Al-Kharj, the fallout from the interceptions caused significant damage to civilian neighborhoods. Coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Malki confirmed the interceptions, but the falling debris caused immediate harm:
- Just before midnight on Tuesday, debris from two intercepted cruise missiles fell on residential areas, injuring two women, a man, and a child, and damaging 15 homes.
- On Wednesday, shrapnel from another intercepted ballistic missile hit a residence, injuring an Arab expatriate and damaging both a house and a vehicle.
Tragedy at King Khalid International Airport
These recent strikes follow a devastating wave of attacks earlier in the week. On October 10, a strike on King Khalid International Airport claimed the lives of 13 people, including four Saudis, two Bangladeshis, and nationals from the US, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine, and Sudan. Over 300 individuals, many of whom were Umrah pilgrims, were wounded in the attack.
A further attack on October 11 resulted in the death of one Pakistani resident and injured 11 others. Consequently, the airport is expected to remain closed until at least October 17, leading to widespread flight cancellations by major carriers including Emirates, Etihad, Air India, and IndiGo.
Regional Escalation and Maritime Risks
In response to the barrage, the Saudi-led coalition conducted retaliatory strikes on fuel depots in Yemen, specifically targeting Hodeidah and areas near Sana’a. While Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s cabinet has vowed consequences, UAE officials have advocated for a joint Gulf defense strategy. Meanwhile, Pakistan has reaffirmed its commitment to Saudi security.
The instability, tied to the broader US-Israel-Iran tensions that began in February 2026, has also threatened maritime safety. A Singapore-flagged container ship, the GFS Pride, recently sank in the Strait of Hormuz after being struck by a projectile, though all 21 crew members were successfully evacuated. Despite the ongoing volatility, Saudi authorities maintain that oil production and exports remain resilient.