Aramco Facility Engulfed in Flames Amid Escalating Tensions with Houthis
Riyadh's Aramco facility south of the capital experienced flames and smoke on Saturday, according to an AFP journalist. The incident comes as tensions between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthi group escalate.
The circumstances surrounding the fire are unclear, but recent weeks have seen attacks on Aramco facilities by the Houthi group. In July, they announced a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia, targeting oil tankers in the Red Sea. This has raised questions about Riyadh's ability to deliver crude to international markets.
Aramco remains the flagship company of the Saudi economy and one of the largest firms in the world by market capitalisation. The Houthi group has targeted Aramco facilities in several regions, including Yanbu and Najran, with strikes also hitting an airport and other infrastructure in August.