Houthis claim missile strike on Saudi Ras Tanura refinery

Yemen's Houthis said on Tuesday, October 27, that they had hit Ras Tanura with a ballistic missile. It is Saudi Arabia's largest oil refinery and one of its two main export hubs. The group also claimed strikes on the defence ministry in Riyadh and on Saudi military aircraft. Saudi authorities did not confirm that any of the named targets were hit, and the Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted the incoming missiles and drones. The claims come as fighting between the kingdom and the Iran-aligned group threatens oil supplies, eight months into the Iran war.reuters.com

Competing accounts

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said on X that the missile struck the refinery in the Eastern Province and caused large fires. He also said the group "targeted the Ministry of Defence in the enemy Saudi capital, Riyadh, with a ballistic missile and the hit was direct". The Houthis further said they attacked two military transport jets, one at Najran Airport and one at an airbase in Khamis Mushait.aa.com.tr+2

Bloomberg News, citing a person familiar with the matter, reported that Saudi Arabia contained a fire early Tuesday near Ras Tanura's export terminal, close to facilities run by Saudi Aramco. The extent of the damage was unclear. Coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki said air defences "intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles" fired toward Riyadh. The coalition said it shot down three more missiles aimed at the Eastern Province, and Saudi authorities said falling shrapnel damaged a building, a construction project and a car in the capital. Over the course of Tuesday, the coalition reported intercepting four drones and three ballistic missiles in total.tribune.com.pk+2

Oil exports at risk

Ras Tanura can process 550,000 barrels per day. It was shut for a time early in the Iran war as a precaution. Nearly all Saudi oil exports leave through Ras Tanura on the Gulf and Yanbu on the Red Sea, and the Houthis have attacked both before. The maritime security firm Vanguard said it was still unclear whether the fire affected oil loading.turkiyetoday.com+1

A widening conflict

The Houthis have stepped up attacks on the kingdom since July, when Saudi Arabia struck Sanaa's airport. The US Embassy in Riyadh has told non-emergency staff to leave the country. The latest strikes came one day after Saudi, Turkish and Pakistani officials met Iranian officials in Tehran to try to ease tensions. Also on Monday, Egypt's parliament authorised its military to help defend Saudi Arabia. Houthi official Mohammed Ali al-Houthi said the group was "not afraid of any alliance that may be formed".middleeasteye.net+2