Oil tanker targeted off Khafji as Saudi Arabia declares high alert following widespread attacks

RIYADH, Nov. 02 (YPA) – A series of aerial and maritime strikes targeted several vital Saudi economic facilities and military bases overnight into Monday, marking what has been described as the most intense wave of attacks since the start of the recent escalation.

Footage circulated on social media platforms showed explosions and fires across several Saudi cities. The reported targets included facilities belonging to oil giant Aramco in Abqaiq and Dammam, alongside reports of explosions in the capital, Riyadh, as well as in Taif, Yanbu, and Jeddah.

In a related statement, Saudi military spokesperson Turki al-Malki acknowledged that the southern region—specifically the cities of Abha and Khamis Mushait—came under intense aerial strikes carried out by a fleet of drones and ballistic missiles. Concurrently, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed the expansion of attacks to the maritime theater, reporting that a Saudi oil tanker off the northeastern port of Khafji was hit by two anti-ship missiles.

While authorities in Sanaa have not issued an official statement claiming responsibility for the extensive operations as of the time of writing, military analysts note that the geographic scale and nature of the land and sea strikes indicate a significant shift in the operational environment following the escalation path announced since last July.

YPA