Smoke Seen Near Saudi Aramco Facility After Houthi Attack Claims

Smoke was observed near an Aramco oil processing facility in the Khurais area east of Riyadh following claims by the Houthis of attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure. Satellite imagery captured by Sentinel-3 and reviewed by Misbar’s team at Al-Araby TV showed smoke emerging on October 4 and remaining visible the following day. The smoke’s direction and extent varied, but the imagery did not confirm the cause or the extent of any damage.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for attacks on Aramco facilities in both Riyadh and Khurais using ballistic missiles and drones. The group stated that the attacks caused large fires and were in response to 50 Saudi airstrikes and missile attacks against multiple Yemeni provinces. Saudi coalition spokesman Turki Al-Maliki dismissed the claims as misleading, suggesting the Houthis were attempting to distract from their losses in Yemen.

Reports indicated that a pumping station on the East-West pipeline in Khurais had been targeted, causing significant damage and halting pumping operations. However, conflicting reports emerged, with one source stating that oil flows through the pipeline had not been disrupted. The pipeline, which transports crude oil from eastern Saudi Arabia to Yanbu on the Red Sea, had previously been targeted in September, leading to injuries and a precautionary shutdown.

The developments in Khurais occur amid an escalation in attacks and counterattacks between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition. The coalition reported ongoing operations against the Houthis, including airstrikes targeting high-value targets and providing air support to government forces in Yemen. The Saudi-backed Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council also launched an operation to restore state institutions and take control of Sanaa, further intensifying the conflict.