CAIRO / DHAHRAN — In a major escalation of regional hostilities, Iran-backed Houthi rebels struck the headquarters of Saudi state-owned oil giant Aramco in Dhahran during an overnight missile attack, regional officials confirmed.
According to sources, the strike heavily impacted the top three floors of a primary building used by senior executives, including offices utilized by the chief executive. Despite the severe structural damage to the upper levels, authorities confirmed that no casualties were reported. Saudi Arabia’s energy ministry later acknowledged that a limited fire broke out at the site following the incident, though state oil officials did not immediately respond to official requests for comment.
The high-profile attack highlights the growing reach and capability of the Houthi movement, which has increasingly targeted critical energy infrastructure deep inside the kingdom. The rebels claimed the missile barrage was executed in retaliation for what they termed "treacherous Saudi aggression" against Sanaa and other regions, coinciding with a renewed military offensive by a Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen's internationally recognized government.
The strike on Aramco’s executive headquarters comes amid a broader surge in violence that has upended years of relative calm in Yemen and heightened regional friction. Analysts note that the renewed cycle of attacks—which has also disrupted aviation and hit infrastructure across the kingdom—reflects a dangerous war of attrition.
Meanwhile, international humanitarian organizations have reported an unprecedented surge in combat casualties along Yemen’s front lines, with hospitals overwhelmed and vital aid delivery networks severely hampered. Even as diplomatic channels through regional mediators like Oman, alongside backchannel efforts involving international powers, attempt to broker a comprehensive ceasefire, the latest assault on Saudi energy assets underscores the fragile security landscape across the Gulf.
