Smoke and fire reported near Aramco facility in Riyadh as Houthi tensions escalate

 A large column of smoke and flames was reportedly visible near an Aramco facility in Riyadh on Saturday, raising concerns over the security of Saudi Arabia’s energy infrastructure as tensions with Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement intensify.

According to a Reuters news report that cited a witness said that the plume could be seen rising in the vicinity of the facility. However, the cause of the fire was not immediately clear, and there was no immediate indication whether the incident was linked to an attack.

The incident comes against the backdrop of a sharp escalation in hostilities between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, who have increasingly targeted Saudi territory and energy-related infrastructure. The group has previously used missiles and drones in attacks against Saudi targets.

Last week, the Houthis said they had launched attacks involving missiles and drones against Aramco facilities in Yanbu, a major industrial and oil hub on Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast. Saudi authorities said they had intercepted six ballistic missiles launched toward the Taif and Yanbu areas, but did not report damage to Aramco facilities.

Saudi authorities as well as Aramco had not issued an immediate statement confirming the fire or providing details about any possible damage or casualties. 

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Saturday’s fire, leaving open whether it was connected to the wider conflict.