Houthi Attack Damages Aramco Headquarters

News Desk

DHAHRAN: A reported Houthi attack on the headquarters of Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil giant Aramco has caused significant damage to the building, triggering a fire that reportedly spread across several floors.

According to a report by British news agency Reuters, three individuals familiar with the incident said the attack took place on Tuesday at Aramco’s headquarters in Dhahran, eastern Saudi Arabia. The fire reportedly broke out on the ninth floor of the building’s southern section before spreading between the sixth and tenth floors.

One source told Reuters that the building’s top three floors suffered extensive damage. These floors reportedly accommodate the office of Aramco Chief Executive Officer Amin Nasser. The sources also reported that ceilings had collapsed in certain sections, while several windows and doors were damaged.

However, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy described the incident as a limited fire resulting from an attack on Tuesday night. The ministry’s account appeared to differ from the extent of the damage described by individuals familiar with the situation.

Despite the incident, operations at the Aramco complex are reportedly continuing as normal. However, two sources told Reuters that some employees had been directed to work from home following the attack.

Aramco’s headquarters serves as a critical operational hub for the world’s largest oil company. The facility supports the monitoring and management of the company’s extensive energy infrastructure, including onshore and offshore oil production facilities, refineries, export terminals and thousands of kilometres of pipelines.

The reported attack comes amid escalating tensions involving Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement and Saudi Arabia, raising further concerns about the security of critical energy infrastructure in the region.

Reuters contacted Aramco for comment on the incident, but the company had not responded by the time the report was published.