A barrage of missiles and suicide drones launched earlier toward the Saudi capital caused direct and substantial damage to the headquarters tower of Saudi Aramco, the state oil company, a structure built as a symbol of Saudi economic strength under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 plan.
MIDDLE EAST
Houthis hit Saudi Aramco tower in Riyadh
The headquarters tower of Saudi Arabia's state oil giant suffered a direct hit in a Houthi missile and drone barrage, striking at the symbol of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 economic plan
Saudi air defense authorities initially announced the barrage and claimed to have intercepted all missiles and drones fired from Yemen toward the heart of the kingdom's economy. But after reports emerged of an explosion in the capital and smoke rising from the central business district, the Saudis were forced to acknowledge that a strike had occurred, though they insisted it resulted from interceptor debris rather than a direct hit.
Footage from the scene tells a different story. Videos and photographs show significant damage to one of the main floors of the headquarters building. This is far more than just another strike: Aramco, known worldwide as Saudi Aramco, is the beating heart of the Saudi economy and accounts for tens of percentage points of the government's budget.
Beyond that, the company stands as a symbol of Saudi economic resilience and the rule of Crown Prince and de facto ruler Mohammed bin Salman. The strike occurred in the heart of Riyadh's financial district, an area considered the pulsing core of the Saudi economy, home to numerous investment firms and major infrastructure projects. A hit on this complex risks triggering an exodus of investors and companies.
Footage of the damage| צילום: Photo: No credit
