A Saudi Aramco oil facility north of King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh was reportedly hit on Saturday evening. Weather satellite imagery detected thick smoke rising from the area, according to The Zioneer.
The reported strike on a Saudi Aramco facility north of King Khalid International Airport marks the latest development in today's Houthi assault on Riyadh. Weather satellite imagery detected thick smoke rising from the area, according to The Zioneer. This follows the Houthi missile strike that scored a direct hit on the airport itself at around 13:41 Jerusalem, forcing the suspension of all flight operations.
The thread of reports began at 13:41 Jerusalem, when Shiite-affiliated channels reported a drone strike on the airport, damaging runways L15 and R15 and fuel tanks. Shortly after, The Zioneer confirmed that Houthi missiles had landed a direct hit on the facility. Footage broadcast by N12 showed heavy smoke rising from the airport, and Reuters later confirmed flames and smoke with flights suspended. The Zioneer's own article at 15:02 Jerusalem summarized the direct hit. The new satellite imagery now indicates the attack extended to an adjacent Aramco energy facility.
As The Zioneer reported earlier today (Sat 19:19 Jerusalem), this marks the first direct Houthi attack on the Saudi capital, a significant escalation by the Iranian-backed terror group. In a prior background report (Mon Jul 27), The Zioneer noted that Iraqi Shia militias had joined Houthi strikes on Saudi oil facilities, including the Abqaiq plant.
No official Saudi confirmation of the Aramco facility hit has been issued, and casualty figures remain unknown. The extent of damage to the facility is not yet clear.
7 developments
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- StrongHouthis reportedly bomb Saudi Aramco facilities in Jazan, sparking large fire
- StrongNASA satellite data detects fire at Saudi Aramco Jazan refinery after Houthi strikes
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