Aramco refinery attacked by Houthi missile, Saudi Arabia plans large-scale counteroffensive

Yemen's Houthi armed group issued a statement on the evening of October 3 local time, claiming to have used multiple ballistic missiles and drones to attack Aramco targets in the Saudi capital Riyadh, and saying the operation was successful. The Saudi side has not yet issued an official statement. Unverified footage circulating on the social media platform X shows thick black smoke rising from multiple locations at the Aramco refinery in Riyadh. Meanwhile, according to Axios, citing two U.S. officials, Saudi Arabia is planning to launch a large-scale military operation against the Houthi armed group in the coming days, targeting the coastal areas that have enabled the Houthis to control the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a key maritime passage.