Aramco tells Dhahran staff to evacuate as Houthi attacks continue
One Turn followed this story across 7 editions, from Bab al-Mandab, Yemen on October 6, 2026. Newest first.
Yemen's Houthi movement, aligned with Iran, has fought a Saudi-led coalition since 2015. The group has stepped up attacks on Saudi airports and oil sites this month.
Saudi Aramco told staff to evacuate its Dhahran headquarters, six people with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Thursday. The Houthis said they attacked Saudi Arabia's defense ministry in Riyadh, Aramco facilities in Yanbu and airports in Abha and Dammam; authorities said an attack on Dammam's King Fahd airport killed two people, including an Indian national, after debris at an oil field killed two others. The US has ordered some diplomats out of Saudi Arabia, while the IMF said the economic impact on the kingdom has so far been limited.
Why it matters: Attacks on the world's largest crude exporter add to supply concerns and have prompted foreign staff withdrawals.
The Houthis said they targeted an Aramco facility in Yanbu, Abha and King Khalid airports and a military base in Saudi Arabia. Houthi media said a Saudi strike killed nine in northern Yemen, and Saudi-backed forces reported air strikes in Taiz.
Why it matters: Attacks on Saudi energy sites add risk to global oil supply.
Gulf states condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia as fighting displaced more than 233,000 Yemenis. A Houthi projectile injured six in Najran, missiles struck near Aden airport and Marib, and Houthi media said Saudi strikes killed nine; two Saudi coalition pilots died in a helicopter crash blamed on a technical fault. Iran backed a political process to end the conflict.
Why it matters: Houthi attacks on Saudi energy sites and transit hubs add to pressure on Gulf oil supply.
Yemen's government said Houthi ballistic missiles struck the al-Maashiq presidential palace complex in Aden, killing five people; the prime minister and other ministers were unhurt. Two more missiles were fired at Aden's airport, as government forces claimed advances in Marib.
The Houthis fired missiles at Al-Maashiq Palace in Aden, seat of the Presidential Leadership Council and residence of President Rashad al-Alimi. Five people were killed and 16 injured; no council members were harmed.
Why it matters: A direct strike on the seat of Yemen's internationally recognised leadership signals an escalation in the country's long-running war.
The Houthis fired missiles at Al-Maashiq Palace in Aden, the seat of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council and residence of President Rashad al-Alimi. Five people were killed and 16 injured; no council member was harmed.
Why it matters: A direct strike on the internationally recognised government's headquarters marks an escalation in Yemen's long-running war.
Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council announced a large-scale military operation aimed at capturing all territory held by the Houthis. Government forces reportedly pushed the Houthis back from areas near the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Why it matters: Fighting near the Bab al-Mandab Strait affects one of the world's key shipping chokepoints between the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.