Houthis Escalate Missile And Drone Attacks Against Saudi Oil Refineries

The Houthis fired one ballistic missile at the Saudi Ministry of Defense in Riyadh on Wednesday.  Saudis say they shot down the missile. Middle east news sources say multiple explosions were heard, suggesting the missiles hit the target.

ballistic missile over Riyadh on Wed

three blasts, three clouds of smoke above capital
Houthis stepped up missile attacks on kingdom 

Wed attack is 4th time in 5 months missiles over Riyadh

Houthis can reach Saudi capital

REUTERS

The Houthi ballistic missiles have a separating warhead. When they approach the target area, the warheads separate from the body of the missile. Often the US Patriot missiles intercept the body of the missiles and not the warheads which have already separated.

What has also not been reported is that the Houthis used a 'swarming drone' attack against a Saudi Aramco oil refinery and the Abha airport, causing the airport to be closed.

1st time Houthi armed drones attack Saudi Arabia 

Abha airport in Assir province

flights cancelled following attack

oil giant Aramco in Jizan hit by drones

400,000-barrel-per-day refinery

strikes with Qasef-1 on Aramco  

Technical features of Qasef-1 drones

Length of body: 250 cm
Length of wing: 300 cm
Time of flight: 120 minutes
Range: 150 km
Type of engine: gasoline fueled
Warhead load: 30 kg

My comments : After the drone attack the airport was closed. The oil refinery was also hit by the drones.  This is a very serious development because the Saudis have little defense against drone swarms.

Even 10 drones dropping  300 kg of explosives onto an oil refinery  can cause serious damage. There is no way the Saudis are going to list Saudi Aramco if their refineries can be hiy by drone swarms and ballistic missiles.