Houthis Claim Drone and Ballistic Missile Attacks on Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh and Red Sea Energy Facilities
October 4, Kathmandu — Iran-backed Yemeni Houthi rebels have claimed drone and ballistic missile attacks targeting Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh, and energy centers along the Red Sea coast. Saudi officials stated that their air defense system intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile fired towards Riyadh on Saturday. There has been no confirmation of additional attacks, nor have any official reports on casualties been released. Early Saturday morning, black smoke was seen rising from a fuel storage tank near Riyadh’s international airport, temporarily disrupting some flights.
This marked the first instance of an air attack warning in Riyadh since July, following an escalation of Houthi assaults on Saudi Arabia. The Saudi civil defense authorities issued alerts via mobile phones about potential threats in Riyadh and other areas overnight. By Saturday morning, an ‘all clear’ was announced as the risk subsided. According to AFP, explosions were heard in Riyadh, with local residents reporting sounds resembling blasts following the alerts. A 27-year-old resident from northern Riyadh told AFP, “I heard the alarm, then the windows shook; it was very frightening. I did not expect such an event to happen.”
Meanwhile, AFP journalists witnessed firefighters responding to a blaze at an Aramco fuel tank. The Houthi military spokesman, Yahya al-Sari, claimed in an online statement that Riyadh’s ‘sensitive sites’ and the Saudi state oil and gas company Aramco facility in Yanbu were targeted. He reported extensive use of ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones, in the attack.
Al-Sari described the assault as retaliation for what the Houthis say was a Saudi attack on Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, which remains under Houthi control. He also accused Saudi Arabia of conducting over 300 attacks across various parts of Yemen in the past week. However, independent verification of the Houthi attacks and resulting damages has not yet been established. Spokespersons for the Saudi-led coalition reported intercepting attempts to target civilians in cities including Bisha, Taif, Farasan, and Yanbu using their air defense systems. Details regarding the number of missiles or drones involved or the extent of damage remain undisclosed.
Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, the U.S. Department of State urged its citizens to remain vigilant and prepare for possible flight cancellations or travel disruptions. The advisory highlighted, “Iran-backed Houthis are conducting hostile activities against Saudi Arabia, including targeting civilian airports. This military conflict could escalate rapidly.” It also recommended American citizens reconsider travel plans to the region. The Yemen civil war pits Houthis against a government internationally recognized and supported by Saudi Arabia. In recent months, Houthis have repeatedly attacked targets within Saudi territory. Earlier this week, they claimed to have downed a Saudi fighter jet over Yemen. On Saturday, unconfirmed reports circulated via AFP citing military sources from both sides claiming 48 casualties in clashes between Houthi and Saudi-backed forces in Yemen, including 31 Houthi fighters and 17 government soldiers.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), a United Nations agency, released on Friday, the recent fighting has displaced over 104,796 people. Tensions remain high along the Red Sea maritime route, with Houthis recently claiming control over the strategically important port city of Mokha and Perim Island. These areas lie near key maritime trade routes used by Gulf countries to export goods to Asia and Europe. The Houthis have imposed a maritime blockade in response to the Saudi blockade on ports and airports under their control in northwest Yemen. Following a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz due to conflicts involving the U.S. and Israel, Saudi vessels have become more dependent on the Red Sea route for oil exports. News reports indicate that this regional strife threatens to impact oil supply and international trade, increasing concerns about economic repercussions. Banking firm JP Morgan stated it is difficult to predict the conflict’s ultimate effect on global oil prices. In a note to investors on Friday, the bank acknowledged, “We do not yet understand how to model the final outcome of the war.” The recent Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, rising tensions in the Red Sea shipping lanes, and the ongoing conflict involving Iran have compounded uncertainty surrounding energy supply and regional security.
