Saudi Aramco has ordered the evacuation of its headquarters in Dhahran, eastern Saudi Arabia, due to the escalation of Houthi attacks from Yemen. This decision comes after a deadly attack on Dammam Airport and amid reports of new assaults on Saudi oil and military facilities.
Evacuation Order and Employee Status
Employees at Aramco's headquarters in Dhahran have been instructed to evacuate the building and continue their work remotely. The specific reasons for this order have not yet been clarified, and Aramco has not responded to requests for comment. This is the first such order issued since the onset of the Iran war on March 1.
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Houthi Attacks and Market Impacts
Houthi forces, supported by the Islamic Republic, targeted Aramco's headquarters earlier this month, resulting in a fire on several floors of the building and extensive damage. The news of the evacuation of Aramco's headquarters on Thursday coincided with a 2.5% drop in the main index of the Saudi stock market, raising concerns about the escalation of conflicts and their implications for oil exports and regional transportation.
Meanwhile, oil prices in global markets reached their highest level since May on Thursday. The price of Brent crude rose by 2.81% to $111.88 per barrel, and during trading, it even reached $112.55.
Yahya Saree, a military spokesperson for the Houthis, claimed that Saudi attacks on Yemen have resulted in 562 casualties since mid-July. This figure has not been independently verified. The attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, near Dhahran, resulted in two deaths and eight injuries.
Continuation of Conflicts and Their Consequences
This was the second attack on Dammam Airport in less than two weeks, with the airport having been targeted previously as well. The Saudi Civil Aviation Authority announced on Thursday that airport operations have resumed and flights have returned to normal. The Houthis also claimed responsibility for the attack on Dammam Airport and stated that they targeted Aramco facilities in Yanbu.
However, Saudi officials have yet to confirm the alleged attacks on the Ministry of Defense in Riyadh and Yanbu oil facilities. Clashes between the Houthis and the Saudi-led military coalition have intensified in recent weeks, ending the ceasefire established in 2022.
Saudi Arabia has responded to these attacks by targeting Houthi missile positions and launch pads in Yemen with airstrikes and has stated that it intercepted several ballistic missiles fired towards its territory.
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