On Sunday, 8 November 2026, a series of powerful explosions rocked the Saudi Arabian capital, Riyadh, following a missile threat alert. Air defence forces reported that ballistic and cruise missiles had been intercepted, whilst debris damaged an administrative building belonging to the state-owned oil company Saudi Aramco. According to the country’s Ministry of Energy, there were no fatalities or injuries.
- On 8 November, explosions were heard in Riyadh following the announcement of a missile threat.
- The Saudi-led coalition reported that it had intercepted two ballistic missiles and two cruise missiles.
- Debris damaged the Saudi Aramco building in the capital’s financial district.
- The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Energy has confirmed that there were no fatalities or injuries.
- The Saudi-led coalition has accused the Yemeni Houthis, who, at the time of reporting, had not claimed responsibility for the attack.
Explosions in Riyadh and damage to the Aramco tower
According to Reuters, several powerful explosions were heard in the Saudi capital shortly after the civil defence service had warned the public of a potential danger.
An eyewitness speaking to the agency reported that windows on several floors of the tower had been damaged Aramco, situated in the King Abdullah Financial District.
Ministry of Energy Saudi Arabia confirmed that the company’s administrative building had been damaged by falling debris following an attempted attack.
The department described the damage as minor and reported that the relevant services had begun taking the necessary measures. There are no reports of fatalities or injuries.
Saudi Arabia has accused the Houthis of a missile attack
Representatives of the coalition led by Saudi Arabia stated that air defences had intercepted two ballistic missiles targeting Riyadh.
Subsequently, the military also reported that two cruise missiles had been destroyed in the vicinity of the capital and in the south of the kingdom.
The Saudi-led coalition has accused the Iran-backed Houthi group in Yemen of launching ballistic missiles. However, at the time of publication of the Reuters and AP reports, representatives of the group had not claimed responsibility for the attack.
Following the explosions, the civil defence service announced that the immediate danger had passed. Threat warnings had previously also been issued in certain areas of the Eastern Province, where a significant proportion of the country’s oil industry is concentrated.
Escalation of the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis
The missile attack marked yet another escalation in the fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni Houthis.
According to Reuters, following the resumption of active hostilities in July 2026, the Houthis intensified their missile and drone strikes on Saudi airports, ports and oil facilities.
In response, Saudi Arabia is carrying out air strikes on the group’s positions in Yemen. The day before, on 7 November, the group controlled by The Ministry of Health has informed the Houthis that at least 33 people have been killed as a result of the strikes near Sani. The Saudi authorities have stated that they are investigating the circumstances of the incident. There is no independent confirmation of the number of casualties.
The conflict escalated following the de facto collapse of the ceasefire brokered by the UN in 2022. For a time, it had prevented large-scale hostilities between the parties.
As of 8 November, the Saudi authorities had confirmed that the Aramco building had been damaged, with no loss of life. The circumstances of the attack and the Houthis’ involvement in it remain the subject of official statements and further investigation.
