Yemenupdated 1h ago2 min read
MapHouthis Strike Saudi Aramco Ras Tanura Terminal, Saudi Says It Intercepted Missiles
“Authorities said they intercepted and destroyed two Houthi ballistic missiles launched towards the city.”
“Saudi Arabia has not confirmed any strike on the ministry, and it says it intercepted missiles launched by the group.”
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL · Cropped for layout
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Houthis claim ballistic missile hit Ras Tanura oil refinery, triggering fires at the complex. Saudi authorities say they intercepted missiles and drones; fire contained with no confirmed major damage.
Ras Tanura fire after missile
Yahya Saree, the military spokesperson for Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels, said the group’s strike on Saudi Aramco’s Ras Tanura oil export terminal was "precise" and caused “massive fires” at the facility. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement, and a fire reportedly broke out on Tuesday near Saudi Aramco facilities in Ras Tanura before being contained.
Saudi Arabia reported that it intercepted missiles and drones directed at its territory, while Reuters reported that Saudi authorities said they intercepted missiles and drones launched toward the kingdom. Saudi Civil Defense activated early warning alerts over a potential threat in Najran, Abha and Khamis Mushait before later announcing that the danger had passed, without specifying its nature.
Competing claims and alerts
Yahya Saree said in a statement on US social media company X that the group’s forces fired a ballistic missile at the refinery in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, and he claimed the missile hit its target and caused large fires at the site. Saudi authorities did not provide immediate comment on the Houthi claim, and the reporting said there was no immediate comment from Saudi authorities on the claim.
Reuters reported that Saudi authorities said they intercepted missiles and drones launched toward the kingdom, while the Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted four drones and three ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis toward Saudi Arabia. A text message alert warned Riyadh residents to seek shelter as blasts shook office windows in the city center, and a resident in Al Khobar said, "We got the alert on the mobile and then heard a very loud bang."
Wider escalation and stakes
Yahya Saree said the Houthis also struck Abha International Airport with a drone, and Saudi authorities did not confirm any of these strikes. Yahya Saree further claimed the group targeted two military transport aircraft with ballistic missiles, one at Najran airport and the other at King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait, and there was no independent confirmation of damage to any aircraft.
“The complex has a capacity of 550,000 barrels per day.”
The Ras Tanura facility along Saudi Arabia’s Gulf coast has a capacity of 550,000 barrels per day, and the reporting said the fire was reportedly contained while the extent of damage and any impact on oil-loading operations remained unclear. The reporting said the attacks came amid continued military escalation between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government, and it noted that Saudi Arabia has led a military coalition supporting the Yemeni government against the Houthis since March 2015.