Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for a series of attacks targeting key energy facilities, airports and military installations in Saudi Arabia over the past 48 hours. The group said the operations involved ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones, and included facilities belonging to state-owned oil and gas giant Saudi Aramco.
According to a report published by Russian news agency TASS on Monday, 19 October, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree announced the alleged attacks. He claimed that the group had carried out six military operations during the 48-hour period, targeting several strategic locations across Saudi Arabia.
Among the reported targets was an Aramco facility in Yanbu, in western Saudi Arabia. The Houthis also claimed to have attacked the Shaybah oilfield in the country’s eastern region. Saree said fires broke out at the targeted sites following the strikes.
However, no detailed information was provided about the extent of the fires, the scale of the damage or whether the incidents disrupted oil production. It also remains unclear whether any of the facilities sustained significant structural damage.
The alleged attacks reportedly extended beyond the energy sector to include aviation and military infrastructure. According to the Houthi account, the group targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha Airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia. A military airbase in Khamis Mushait, in the country’s southern region, was also among the claimed targets.
Saree further said that a naval base and several radar installations had been attacked. The group did not provide a detailed breakdown of the weapons used against individual targets or clarify whether all the missiles and drones reached their intended destinations.
There was also no detailed information in the report about whether Saudi air defence systems intercepted any of the incoming projectiles or whether the strikes resulted in casualties.
The reported targeting of Saudi Arabia’s energy infrastructure is particularly significant because the kingdom is a major player in global oil production and supply. Its oilfields, processing facilities and export infrastructure are closely connected to international energy markets. Any substantial damage to these assets could potentially affect production, exports and market sentiment.
Nevertheless, there is currently no confirmed information indicating that the alleged attacks disrupted Saudi oil output or caused interruptions to fuel supplies. The actual impact, if any, will depend on the extent of the damage and the operational status of the affected facilities.
The claims concerning airports, military bases and radar installations also raise questions about the security of critical infrastructure amid continuing regional tensions. Missile and drone attacks have become a prominent feature of conflicts in the Middle East, presenting challenges for air defence systems and the protection of strategically important sites.
The details provided by the Houthis could not be independently verified. TASS did not report any official response from Saudi authorities, nor did it provide confirmed figures for casualties or material damage. Further information is therefore needed to establish the scale and consequences of the alleged operations.
