Riyadh and Aramco Hit in Massive Houthi Missile and Drone Assault
A wave of explosions and heavy black smoke signaled a major escalation in regional tensions early Saturday morning, as Houthi militants launched a multi-pronged aerial assault against Saudi Arabia. The strikes, involving ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones, targeted sensitive locations in the capital of Riyadh and critical Aramco energy infrastructure in the Red Sea oil hub of Yanbu.
Chaos Near Riyadh’s Major Airport
As dawn broke, residents in Riyadh were alerted to hostile aerial threats. The strikes resulted in a massive column of black smoke rising from a fuel farm situated near King Khalid International Airport. While the Saudi-led coalition confirmed the successful interception of a ballistic missile over the city, the intensity of the attack caused significant disruption to air traffic, leading to multiple flight cancellations.
Damage to Aramco Infrastructure
The assault also extended to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, where Aramco-branded infrastructure was hit. An Aramco fuel tank caught fire following the attack, though emergency firefighters managed to extinguish the flames. Fortunately, no fatalities were reported during the strikes.
The Defense Response and Houthi Claims
The Saudi-led coalition's defense systems were heavily engaged throughout the operation. According to coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki, security forces successfully thwarted additional threats aimed at civilians and infrastructure in several locations, including:
- Bisha
- Taif
- Farasan
- Yanbu
On the other side of the conflict, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for the dual operations. He stated that the large-scale use of missiles and drones was a direct response to recent Saudi airstrikes conducted on Sanaa.
Geopolitical Fallout and Market Impact
The