Houthi Missiles Strike Saudi Aramco HQ and Riyadh Homes
A series of intense missile strikes launched by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi forces has targeted critical infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, hitting both the energy sector and residential zones. Between October 13 and 14, 2026, the attacks caused significant structural damage and civilian injuries, escalating an already volatile regional conflict.
Chaos at Saudi Aramco Headquarters
In Dhahran, a ballistic missile struck an administrative building at the Saudi Aramco headquarters. The impact was severe, causing fires and extensive structural destruction, including blown-out windows and collapsed ceilings across multiple floors. Notably, the office of CEO Amin Nasser was among the areas affected by the strike.
While the damage to the energy giant's administrative hub is substantial, authorities reported that there were no casualties at the site during the incident.
Civilians Wounded in Riyadh Residential Areas
The violence also reached the capital, Riyadh. While the Saudi military successfully intercepted two Houthi cruise missiles, the falling debris caused significant harm to local neighborhoods. The Saudi Civil Defence confirmed that the debris struck residential areas, resulting in:
- Four civilian injuries: One man, two women, and one child were wounded.
- Property damage: At least 15 homes sustained damage from the falling wreckage.
Escalating Conflict and Aviation Disruptions
These latest strikes follow a devastating weekend attack on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport. That incident resulted in at least 14 deaths, including an Indian citizen and a Pakistani resident, with more than 300 people wounded. The primary airport hub remains closed to operations until at least Saturday, causing major disruptions for several regional carriers, including:
- Etihad
- Qatar Airways
- Flydubai
In a direct response, the Saudi-led coalition has launched retaliatory strikes against Houthi fuel depots and energy infrastructure located in Sanaa and western Yemen. Meanwhile, Houthi leadership has vowed to continue targeting Saudi oil facilities and airports, even urging international personnel to evacuate the region.
Global Economic and Humanitarian Fallout
The instability has sent shockwaves through global markets. Concerns regarding the Strait of Hormuz and the security of Saudi energy infrastructure have pushed oil prices above $106 per barrel. While Saudi stock values have experienced a dip, the kingdom maintains that its energy systems remain resilient.
The humanitarian situation in Yemen continues to deteriorate rapidly. The World Food Programme has warned that the ongoing fighting is obstructing essential food aid delivery to approximately 800,000 people, with 600,000 of those located in Taiz. Medical facilities in Marib and along the Red Sea coast are currently struggling to cope with:
- Over 700 new trauma cases arriving every week.
- Critical shortages of medical supplies.
- A surge in suspected cholera cases.
As the conflict intensifies, the situation remains highly volatile for the large expatriate populations from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal residing across the Gulf states.