RIYADH – Saudi Arabia comes under fresh wave of alleged missile attacks as Yemen’s Houthi rebels claim to have destroyed two Saudi military transport aircraft, targeted Ministry of Defence in Riyadh and struck major oil refinery, raising fears of wider military escalation in Middle East.
The dramatic claims emerged on October 27 amid heightened security alerts across several Saudi cities and growing tensions linked to the wider regional conflict involving Tehran. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree announced that his forces carried out series of ballistic missile operations targeting Saudi military aircraft, strategic installations and energy infrastructure.
Saudi authorities have not confirmed the reported destruction of the aircraft or the alleged successful strikes on the Defence Ministry and oil refinery.
Hothi leaders announced that forces had targeted two Saudi military transport aircraft with ballistic missiles. He claimed that one aircraft was struck at Najran Airport, while another was targeted at a military facility in Khamis Mushait, a strategically important military hub in southern Saudi Arabia.
According to the Houthi spokesperson, both aircraft were destroyed in the attacks. However, he did not disclose whether the alleged strikes caused any casualties, while Saudi officials have not issued any confirmation regarding the reported losses. Other accounts of the Houthi statements also mentioned Abha International Airport and King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait as targets. The differing locations have not been independently reconciled.
Saudi Defence Ministry in Riyadh Also Targeted
The Houthis also claimed to have launched an attack on Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence in the capital, Riyadh, marking another significant escalation in their reported military operations.
Yahya Saree claimed that his forces had targeted the ministry as part of the latest offensive against Saudi installations.
The alleged attack has heightened concerns over the possibility of further strikes on sensitive locations in the Saudi capital.
However, Saudi authorities have not confirmed that the Defence Ministry was struck, and the extent of any potential damage remains unknown.
Ballistic Missile Strike on Saudi Oil Refinery
Houthis claimed responsibility for a ballistic missile attack on the Ras Tanura oil refinery in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province. Yahya Saree said his forces had fired a ballistic missile towards the facility and claimed it successfully struck its intended target, causing a massive fire.
A fire near the Ras Tanura oil terminal had been contained. However, the cause of the fire and any connection to the alleged Houthi missile strike have not been independently established. Saudi officials have not confirmed the Houthi account of the attack.
The latest Houthi claims coincided with security warnings across several southern Saudi cities, including Najran, Abha and Khamis Mushait. Saudi Civil Defence authorities issued precautionary alerts over potential threats before later announcing that the danger had passed.
The authorities did not immediately disclose the exact nature of the threats. Saudi-led military coalition announced that its defence systems had intercepted four drones and three ballistic missiles launched towards Saudi territory.
The interceptions highlighted the continuing missile and drone threats facing the Kingdom, although they did not confirm the Houthi claims regarding destroyed aircraft or damaged military installations.
The latest developments follow a series of reported attacks against Saudi airports, military bases and critical energy infrastructure. Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree claimed that his forces had targeted airports in Riyadh, Dammam and Najran, along with the military base in Khamis Mushait and several oil installations.
Saudi Arabia did not confirm all the reported attacks. However, the Saudi-led coalition acknowledged intercepting several incoming missiles and drones and reported incidents involving falling missile debris. The renewed hostilities have placed additional pressure on Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector, with widespread flight disruptions reported across the Kingdom.
Between October 8 and October 25, more than 7,800 scheduled flights were reportedly cancelled across Saudi Arabia, while Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport experienced particularly severe disruption.
The renewed confrontation between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi movement comes against the backdrop of a broader regional conflict involving Iran. Houthis have increased their reported attacks on Saudi territory since July, with October witnessing a surge in missile and drone operations targeting airports, military facilities and oil infrastructure.
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