Houthi Strike Damages Aramco Headquarters in Dhahran

A missile strike attributed to Yemen’s Houthi movement damaged an Aramco administrative building in Dhahran on the night of 13 October 2026. Saudi Arabia’s energy ministry said the attack caused a limited fire and that there were no deaths or injuries. Sources familiar with the incident told Reuters that the fire spread across several floors of a tower that houses senior executive offices, including the office of CEO Amin Nasser. The top three floors sustained heavy damage, with part of the ceiling collapsed and windows blown out. Some employees were instructed to work from home while operations at the complex continued.

The Dhahran complex contains a major operations centre that oversees onshore and offshore production, refineries, pipelines and export terminals. The Houthis claimed they launched ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones at Aramco facilities in Dhahran, at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and at an Aramco refinery in Riyadh. Saudi-led coalition forces said they intercepted multiple incoming projectiles. Debris from intercepted missiles injured several people and damaged homes in the Riyadh area in related strikes.

The attack is the latest in a series of Houthi strikes on Saudi targets that have intensified in recent days. Riyadh’s international airport has been hit multiple times, including a strike that killed 13 people. The Houthis said they would continue attacks on airports and oil facilities and urged shipping companies and workers to evacuate such sites. Saudi energy officials have stated that the kingdom’s overall oil supply remains resilient.

The strike occurs against the background of renewed fighting in Yemen and the wider US-Iran conflict that began in February 2026. Houthis have previously targeted Saudi oil infrastructure. Markets have watched the escalation for effects on crude supply. No official production figures have been revised as a direct result of the Dhahran fire, and the energy ministry described the incident as limited. Further details on the exact munition and the full extent of structural damage are expected from Saudi authorities and company statements.

Aramco is the world’s largest crude oil producer. Damage to its headquarters complex draws attention because of the symbolic and operational importance of the site. The company has not issued a detailed public statement on the condition of specific offices or systems. Investigators will assess whether the fire affected any control systems housed in the building. For now, the ministry’s description of a limited fire and the absence of casualties remain the official account.