DHAHRAN, Saudi Arabia - A Houthi attack damaged Saudi Aramco’s headquarters in Dhahran on Oct. 13, though authorities reported no deaths or injuries and said the oil company’s operations continued.
Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry said the attack caused a limited fire. Three people with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters that the complex suffered extensive damage and that the fire spread across several floors.
Two of the sources said the fire started on the ninth floor of the south wing and spread between the sixth and 10th floors. Another source said the top three floors were severely damaged, with part of the ceiling collapsing and windows and doors blown out.
Operations at the complex continued normally, although some employees were asked to work from home and some functions were shifted to offices abroad, Reuters reported.
The headquarters includes an operations center used to oversee onshore and offshore oil installations, refineries, export terminals and thousands of kilometers of pipelines.
Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis claimed attacks using ballistic and cruise missiles and drones against Saudi Aramco facilities, Riyadh’s airport and a refinery. The group said the strikes were in response to Saudi-led coalition operations in Yemen and warned civilians and company employees to stay away from potential targets.
Saudi authorities said coalition forces had intercepted other projectiles. The attack came amid a broader escalation that also disrupted operations at Riyadh’s airport.
Source: Vesti Baku.