Falling debris from an intercepted missile damaged an upper floor of the Aramco Tower in Riyadh on Sunday morning, leaving shattered glass across several levels of the Saudi oil giant’s corporate office.
The Saudi Energy Ministry stated that the administrative building sustained minor damage from shrapnel. Air defenses intercepted incoming projectiles over the capital.
Witnesses in the King Abdullah Financial District reported hearing loud explosions as early-warning alerts sounded across the city. The Saudi Civil Defense had issued early-warning alerts of potential threats to the city before announcing that the danger had passed.
Video footage authenticated by BBC Verify showed windows blown out across multiple floors of the skyscraper. Officials confirmed there were no injuries or fatalities. Employees in the financial district had been working from home in recent weeks since the Saudi-Houthi conflict reignited.
The Saudi-led coalition reported intercepting and destroying two ballistic missiles and two cruise missiles targeting Riyadh and the southern region. Air defenses also intercepted a Houthi missile in the Eastern Province, where most of the oil and gas reserves of the world’s largest crude exporter lie. Civil Defense issued and later lifted warnings in several areas of the Eastern Province, including Dhahran, where Saudi Aramco has its headquarters.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed responsibility for six operations on November 8 against Saudi targets. He stated the group carried out strikes targeting Aramco oil facilities, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, and military positions.
Houthi officials said the strikes were carried out in response to coalition air strikes. The latest escalation followed reports from the Houthi-run health ministry that Saudi-led coalition air strikes had killed at least 33 people near Sanaa.
Governments across the region condemned the attack on Saudi infrastructure.
Qatar affirmed its support for Saudi Arabia and stated that it is taking all legitimate measures to preserve its sovereignty, security, territorial integrity, and interests, according to the Qatar News Agency.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office strongly condemned the attempted attack by the Houthis on the Saudi Aramco administrative building in Riyadh. The office expressed concern over the targeting of civilian facilities while noting that no casualties were reported.
The Foreign Office called on the Houthis to immediately and unconditionally cease all attacks against Saudi Arabia.
Earlier coverage: Two Houthi Missiles Intercepted Near Saudi Aramco Tower in Riyadh
