Saudi Landmark Damaged in Houthi Missiles Attack on Capital Amid Escalating War
Damage reported in Riyadh
The Saudi Ministry of Energy said an office tower belonging to state-owned oil company Aramco suffered minor damage from falling shrapnel. An unnamed ministry official was cited in the statement, and no one was injured.
A New York Times reporter in Riyadh observed broken windows, dark marks and a hole in the building. Those visible signs appeared to indicate more serious damage on at least one floor than the ministry’s description suggested.
Missiles intercepted earlier
Saudi authorities had intercepted three missiles fired from Yemen earlier Sunday, the New York Times reported. The Houthis did not immediately take responsibility for the attack. The group had repeatedly threatened to strike Aramco offices and installations, according to the outlet. The tower incident occurred as the conflict between Saudi forces and the Houthis continued.
Truce collapsed after airport strike
The New York Times reported that a Saudi military strike on the Houthi-controlled airport in Sanaa aimed to prevent an Iranian commercial plane from landing. The aircraft was sent to collect Houthi delegates attending the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, despite Saudi Arabia’s air blockade of Yemen. The outlet said the airport attack prompted Houthi counterattacks, contributed to the truce’s collapse and drew the Houthis into the regional war.
Key points
- An Aramco office tower in Riyadh was damaged by falling shrapnel Sunday; no injuries were reported.
- Saudi authorities intercepted three missiles from Yemen earlier that day, according to the New York Times.
- The Houthis did not immediately claim responsibility but had previously threatened Aramco sites.
- At least 50 people were killed in Saudi attacks on Yemen on Friday and Saturday.