Yemen's Houthi forces announced they targeted Saudi Aramco facilities in Riyadh and Khurais using ballistic missiles and drones. The group reported causing large fires at the specified sites.

The claim was disseminated via social media channels associated with Houthi leadership. No independent verification of physical damage or operational disruption has been provided by Saudi Aramco or the Saudi Ministry of Energy as of this report.

Details of the Claim

The Houthi military spokesperson stated that the operation involved a combination of aerial assets:

• Ballistic missiles
• Drones

The targets were identified as Aramco installations in two distinct locations:

Market Context

This development follows a pattern of cross-border attacks aimed at critical energy infrastructure in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. While the specific impact on production volumes or refining capacity has not been quantified in the source material, such claims often influence regional geopolitical risk premiums.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will deploy troops, radars, and air defense systems to protect Saudi Arabia's Yanbu oil terminal. The deployment follows damage sustained by the facility from a recent Houthi attack.

Attack details

Yemen's Houthi movement claimed responsibility for attacks on Saudi Aramco facilities in Yanbu and what it described as a sensitive target in the Saudi capital Riyadh. The Houthis stated that their strikes targeted Saudi Aramco infrastructure located in Yanbu, a major industrial and port city on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast. In addition to the Yanbu facilities, the group also claimed to have hit what it referred to as a sensitive target in Riyadh.

French military response

President Macron clarified that the French deployment is "not to engage in any conflict, but to protect this site." The intervention aims to secure the critical energy infrastructure following the confirmed damage from the Houthi strikes.

Strategic importance of Yanbu

The Yanbu oil terminal was exporting more than 5 million barrels a day before the strike. Saudi Aramco is one of the world's largest oil producers, and Yanbu serves as a key hub for the company's refining and export operations. The disruption highlights the vulnerability of major global supply routes in the Red Sea region.

The Houthis, based in Yemen, have previously carried out drone and missile attacks against Saudi infrastructure as part of the ongoing conflict in the region. No independent verification of the full extent of damage was available in initial reports, though Macron's statement confirms the facility was damaged.