Saudi Arabia intercepts missiles; Aramco building in Riyadh damaged

Saudi Arabia intercepted multiple missiles launched towards its capital Riyadh and other regions, according to Al Jazeera English and the Winnipeg Free Press. The missiles were launched by Yemen's Houthi armed group, also known as Ansar Allah, targeting Riyadh, the Eastern province, and southern regions of the kingdom.

The Saudi Energy Ministry reported that an administrative building belonging to the state-owned oil giant Aramco in Riyadh's King Abdullah Financial District was damaged by falling shrapnel from the intercepted missiles. No casualties were reported from the incident, according to Saudi state media cited by Al Jazeera.

The Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis confirmed the destruction of several ballistic missiles and a drone launched by the group. Major-General Turki al-Maliki, the coalition spokesperson, stated that two missiles targeted Riyadh, one targeted the Eastern province, and two others were intercepted in the southern region.

The Houthis have escalated attacks on Saudi targets since a truce in Yemen collapsed in July. Previous attacks have targeted airports, oil refineries, and Aramco facilities across Saudi Arabia, resulting in casualties and injuries, including a deadly strike on Riyadh airport in October.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates rescued 22 crew members from a cargo ship fire in the Sea of Oman, highlighting ongoing risks to commercial shipping in the region, as reported by the Winnipeg Free Press.

The situation remains tense as fighting continues in Yemen between Houthi forces and government troops, with recent military operations aiming to retake Houthi-held areas including the capital, Sanaa.