Aramco tower in Riyadh shows damage after an air attack
An air attack damaged an Aramco administrative tower in central Riyadh. Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry described limited damage and said nobody was hurt, while authenticated footage showed a badly hit floor and shattered windows. Yemen’s Houthis claimed to have targeted the capital’s business district as fighting with Saudi-backed forces intensified.
Geopolitics··Morning
Damage reaches the financial district
An Aramco administrative building in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital, was damaged in an air attack. The Saudi Energy Ministry said falling debris struck the building and described the damage as limited, with no deaths or injuries. Footage authenticated by BBC Verify, the broadcaster’s verification team, showed shattered windows across more than one level of the tower in the city’s central financial district. At least one floor appeared badly damaged in the images.[1], [2]
Houthis claim the business district as a target
The Houthis, the Yemen-based armed group fighting forces aligned with the Saudi-backed government, said they had targeted Riyadh’s business district on Saturday. Their statement, carried by the Houthi-controlled Saba agency, did not identify the Aramco Tower by name. Saudi Arabia separately said its air defences had intercepted and destroyed several missiles. The group also claimed attacks on the airport and oil-storage facilities.[1]
July ceasefire breakdown preceded the attacks
An informal ceasefire unravelled in July after the Houthis declared a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia. They described subsequent attacks as retaliation for a blockade and a strike on Sanaa airport. Saudi Arabia said that airport operation aimed to stop an Iranian aircraft landing. Fighting between the Houthis and troops aligned with Yemen’s government has since intensified.[1]
