On 21 March 2022, Yemen-based Houthi rebels fired a missile targeting an Aramco distribution center in the port city of Jeddah. The missile struck a tank at the distribution center, causing a fire. No casualties were reported. Earlier in the day, the Saudi military intercepted a series of missiles and drones that were launched toward a power station in Dhahran Al-Janub, an Aramco Facility in Jizan, a gas station in Khamis Mushait and an Aramco Liquefied Natural Gas facility in Yanbu. The renewed barrage of attacks comes as Saudi-sponsored peace talks — which the Houthis have refused to attend — are scheduled to take place in Riyadh beginning on 29 March.
In related developments, the U.S. government has transferred a large number of antimissile interceptors to strengthen Saudi missile defense systems during the previous few weeks. Frequent Houthi missile and drone attacks have depleted Saudi missile defense capabilities.
