PakistanHouthis Claim Aramco Strike
Yemen's Houthis say they attacked an Aramco facility in Riyadh, but the Saudi-led coalition calls the claim misleading. The attack allegedly used ballistic missiles and drones, causing fires to break out at the site.
Global Newsflix 2 min read
Yemen's Houthis claim to have carried out a military operation targeting an Aramco facility in Riyadh, the Saudi capital. The group's military spokesman, Yahya Saree, said the operation used ballistic missiles and drones, and was precise and direct.
The claim was made in a statement posted on Saturday, and a large plume of smoke and fire was seen rising near an Aramco facility in Riyadh. However, Turki al-Maliki, spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition, said the Houthi claims of targeting Riyadh were misleading.
The Saudi-led coalition said its armed forces carried out 97 precise targeting operations against Houthi reinforcements on the Tor al-Baha front and the Taiz axis. The operations used warplanes, drones, artillery, missiles, and snipers, and targeted at least 260 Houthi fighters, destroying or disabling 44 military vehicles.
The fighting between the Houthis and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government has intensified since a fragile truce collapsed in July. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced since the fighting restarted, and the Houthis have seized key locations, including the port city of Mocha and strategic islands in the Bab al-Mandeb strait.
The Houthis have also claimed to have attacked other Aramco facilities, including a site in Yanbu, a Red Sea port on Saudi Arabia's west coast. Saudi Arabia said it intercepted six ballistic missiles fired towards Taif and Yanbu, and reported no damage to Aramco sites.
The conflict in Yemen began in 2014, when the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, forcing the Yemeni government to retreat to Aden. The Saudi-led coalition has been supporting the Yemeni government in its fight against the Houthis, who are aligned with Iran.
The situation in Yemen remains volatile, with both sides exchanging blows and claiming victories. The international community is watching the situation closely, as the conflict has the potential to disrupt global oil supplies and exacerbate regional tensions.
Key facts
- Houthis claim to have attacked an Aramco facility in Riyadh
- Saudi-led coalition calls the claim misleading
- Fighting between Houthis and Saudi-backed Yemeni government has intensified since July
- Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced since the fighting restarted
Three perspectives
Neutral
The conflict in Yemen is complex and multifaceted, with both sides making claims and counter-claims. The situation on the ground is volatile, and it is difficult to verify the accuracy of the claims made by either side. The international community will be watching the situation closely, as the conflict has the potential to disrupt global oil supplies and exacerbate regional tensions.
Positive
The Saudi-led coalition's military operations against the Houthis have been effective in targeting the group's reinforcements and destroying their military vehicles. The coalition's efforts to support the Yemeni government have helped to stabilize the front lines and prevent the Houthis from making further gains.
Negative
The Houthis' claims of attacking Aramco facilities have raised concerns about the safety of Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure and the potential for disruption to global oil supplies. The conflict in Yemen has also had a devastating humanitarian impact, with hundreds of thousands of people displaced and many more affected by the fighting.
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