Houthis Claim ‘Direct Hit’ On Saudi Defense Ministry HQ & Ras Tanura Refinery

The Houthis are claiming some further significant attacks on Saudi military and energy sites, announcing Tuesday a direct hit on the kingdom’s defense ministry HQ in Riyadh.

The Iran-aligned group said the “hit was direct” – also amid new launches against Saudi Arabia’s biggest oil refinery, Ras Tanura, located to the west of the Strait of Hormuz.

“Our armed forces targeted the Ministry of Defense in the enemy Saudi capital, Riyadh, with a ballistic missile and the hit was direct,” announced Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree. 

The Saudi military has said it has intercepted a pair of missiles over the kingdom, with regional media citing explosions hears in central Riyadh. There are reports of significant missile debris falling over Riyadh.

Residents in Riyadh as well as near Ras Tanura reported getting mobile alerts of an inbound attack. Bloomberg is so far suggesting damage to the refinery is could be significant:

Maritime security agency Vanguard reported a fire in the Ras Tanura area following an attack early on Tuesday. Bloomberg separately cited a person familiar with the matter as saying a fire near the terminal had been contained.

“The fire has reportedly been contained, while the extent of damage and any impact on oil-loading operations remain unclear at current,” Vanguard said.

Ras Tanura combines a refinery capable of processing 550,000 barrels a day with an oil export terminal. It and Yanbu, on the Red Sea, handle nearly all Saudi oil exports.

Latest claimed Houthi attack locations inside Saudi territory:

1) Ras Tanura Oil Refinery

2) Ministry of Defense, Riyadh

3) Saudi mobilizations in Aden

4) Abha Airport

5) Two military cargo aircraft at: Najran Airport, Khamis Mushait Air Base

Saudi authorities have yet to confirm these fresh attacks, and there’s been no damage assessment issued at this early phase. The Saudis are typically very slow to confirm attacks out of Yemen.

The ​Houthis have said they also on Tuesday targeted two military transport jets – at Najran Airport, and an airbase in Khamis Mushait.