Aramco building in Riyadh damaged as Saudi Arabia intercepts Houthi missiles
Saudi Arabia intercepted Houthi missiles and a drone fired towards Riyadh and other regions on Sunday, 8 November. Falling debris caused minor damage to an Aramco administrative building, with no injuries reported.
- Saudi air defences intercepted Houthi missiles and a drone on 8 November.
- Debris caused minor damage to a Saudi Aramco administrative building in Riyadh's financial district.
- Riyadh schools moved to online classes as a precaution.
Saudi Arabia intercepted missiles fired by Yemen's Houthi group at Riyadh and other regions on Sunday, 8 November, according to France 24. Falling debris damaged a building belonging to the state-owned oil company Aramco in Riyadh's financial district.
Arab News reported that the Saudi Civil Defense lifted a danger warning in Riyadh after a brief alarm over missile and drone attacks from Yemen. It said the damage to the Aramco building was minor and that no one was hurt.
Residents were advised against gathering or filming while air defences intercepted the threats. Civil Defence urged people to stay away from impact sites and warned that sharing such footage could lead to legal action, according to Gulf News.
The Saudi-led coalition said it destroyed ballistic missile launchers used in the recent attacks, according to Arab News. It also said it had destroyed the Houthis' ballistic missile factories.
On Monday, Riyadh Deputy Governor Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman visited the Aramco administrative building to assess the damage, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The building is used for civilian purposes and sustained minor damage.
Prince Mohammed said the attack confirmed Saudi Arabia's long-held position that the Houthis deliberately target civilian sites. He was briefed by Aramco and Riyadh Region officials and instructed that all necessary support be given to Aramco employees to carry out their work.
Gulf News reported that on Tuesday the coalition said its air defences intercepted a ballistic missile and a cruise missile fired towards Riyadh, and destroyed a drone in the Eastern Province. Schools in Riyadh moved to online classes as a precaution, and parents were told this would continue without a stated end date.
Background
khabr.pk reported on 8 November that the Saudi-led coalition said it destroyed two Houthi ballistic missiles fired towards Riyadh, after Civil Defence issued early warnings. On 10 November we reported that the coalition downed two missiles aimed at Riyadh and a third aimed at the south, a day after an attack on the East-West oil pipeline.
Why it matters for Pakistan
Saudi Arabia hosts large numbers of Pakistani workers, so attacks on Gulf cities concern their families in Pakistan. Riyadh residents, including expatriates, were told to avoid gathering or filming near impact sites. Schools in the city moved online, which affects families living there.
