Missile Strikes on Saudi Defence Ministry: Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed on Tuesday, October 27, that they had attacked Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry in Riyadh and the country’s major Ras Tanura oil refinery. The claims came as fighting between the Iran-aligned group and Saudi Arabia continued to grow.
Saudi authorities said they had intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles heading towards Riyadh. An air raid alert was also issued briefly in the capital, and explosions were heard in the city, according to news reports. The reported hits on the ministry and refinery had not been officially confirmed by Saudi Arabia.
Houthis Claim Attacks on Riyadh and the Oil Refinery
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group had fired a ballistic missile at Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry in Riyadh. The group claimed the missile hit its target. The Houthis also said they had attacked the Ras Tanura oil refinery and that the strike caused a fire.
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Reuters reported that Saudi Arabia hadn’t confirmed the refinery attack. Bloomberg News, citing a person familiar with the matter, said a fire near the Ras Tanura oil terminal had been brought under control early Tuesday. The extent of any damage wasn’t immediately clear.
Ras Tanura is one of Saudi Arabia’s most important oil sites. The refinery can process around 550,000 barrels of oil per day and also has a major oil export terminal. Saudi Arabia sends nearly all its oil exports through two main hubs, Ras Tanura on the Gulf coast and Yanbu on the Red Sea. Both sites have faced Houthi attacks before. Ras Tanura was also temporarily shut during the early months of the Iran war as a safety measure.
The Houthis also claimed they had attacked two military transport aircraft at Najran Airport and a military airbase in Khamis Mushait. Saudi Arabia hadn’t immediately confirmed these claims.
Fighting Spreads Near a Key Red Sea Route
The Houthis also said they had stopped an advance by Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This narrow sea passage connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and is important for international shipping.
Earlier in October, government forces pushed the Houthis out of some coastal areas they had captured in September. The latest fighting has weakened the group’s control over parts of this important route.
Houthi-linked Al Masirah TV reported that Saudi Arabia had carried out airstrikes on the Yemeni city of Mocha. Saudi authorities hadn’t immediately confirmed those reported strikes.
The renewed fighting has also ended the fragile truce reached in 2022 through United Nations efforts. The Houthis control Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, and large parts of the country.
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Saudi Arabia and Its Allies Hold Talks
The violence comes as countries in the region try to prevent the conflict from spreading further. On Monday, October 26, officials from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan met Iranian officials in Tehran. The talks aimed to reduce tensions and find ways to prevent more fighting. The four countries agreed to continue discussions on regional peace and security.
Egypt’s parliament also approved military support for Saudi Arabia if the kingdom asks for help defending itself against Houthi attacks. It wasn’t immediately clear what form that support would take.
