Houthis fire cruise missiles at Saudi Arabia; Riyadh’s Aramco tower damaged by debris

RIYADH: Multiple witnesses reported to AFP on Sunday that the Saudi-led coalition's target of the financial district in Riyadh resulted in damage to the Aramco tower. One witness stated, "Aramco tower in KAFD has been targeted, that's the sure thing," referring to the King Abdullah Financial District. Two additional witnesses confirmed observing damage to the building.

The fragile 2022 truce that had halted hostilities in Yemen's ongoing conflict collapsed in July, leading to renewed clashes with the Houthis, who have targeted Saudi airports, energy infrastructure, and military sites. The Houthis, backed by Iran, captured the capital Sanaa in 2014 and initiated the conflict a year later in support of the government.

The King Abdullah Financial District is a prominent symbol of the kingdom's economic and social reforms, featuring glass skyscrapers, upscale retail, and green spaces. Attacking the district would represent a significant escalation in the fight against the Houthis. The area also contains residential housing and a major metro station with heavy commuter traffic during morning rush hour.

Multiple floors of the Aramco tower suffered damage, with shattered glass and facade damage visible to another witness. The attack occurred shortly after the kingdom's Education Ministry announced the resumption of in-person schooling in Riyadh following remote learning due to previous strikes. In a social media post, coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki claimed that air defenses intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi terrorist militia towards Riyadh, with loud explosions heard in the capital.

Saudi Arabia is seeking allies for assistance amid daily Houthi strikes, with Syrian troops poised to deploy to Saudi Arabia and Yemen, some already present. The United Nations reports over 1,600 casualties and more than 300,000 displacements since the conflict's resurgence in Yemen. The 2022 truce unravelled after the Houthis permitted an Iranian plane to land in Yemen's Sanaa, defying Saudi control over Yemeni airspace, triggering a series of attacks.

Subsequently, the Houthis imposed a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia, targeting its ships, territory, and oil facilities, culminating in a swift takeover of the Red Sea coast.