Saudi Aramco Orders Evacuation of Dhahran Headquarters Amid Rising Security Concerns

RIYADH: Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil company by market capitalisation, has reportedly ordered employees to leave its headquarters in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, and work from home until further notice amid growing security concerns over continued Houthi missile and drone attacks.
The move came a day after a fresh attack at King Fahd International Airport in Dammam reportedly killed two people and injured eight others, according to Reuters.
Six sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that Aramco had instructed staff at its headquarters to evacuate the building. It is reportedly the first time since the regional war began that the company has ordered employees to leave its main office.
The specific security threat behind the latest directive was not immediately clear. Aramco did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Previous Attack Damaged Aramco Headquarters
According to sources cited by Agence France-Presse (AFP), most non-essential employees had already been working remotely following an attack on the headquarters last week. Essential staff who remained in the building have now also been instructed to leave.
Sources said residential areas within the Dhahran Aramco complex had not been evacuated.
Reuters reported that the company’s headquarters was targeted in a Houthi attack earlier this month, causing significant damage and a fire that spread across several floors. AFP also reported damage to the upper floors of the building, although the full extent of the damage could not be independently verified.
Aramco’s Dhahran headquarters is a critical centre for Saudi Arabia’s oil and gas industry. Its operations centre monitors the company’s oil wells, refineries, export terminals and an extensive network of pipelines spanning thousands of kilometres.
Dammam Airport Attack Kills Two, Eight Injured
According to Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation, Wednesday evening’s attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam left two people dead and eight injured.
Dammam is located approximately 15 kilometres from Aramco’s Dhahran headquarters. Saudi authorities said flight operations at the airport were subsequently restored.
On the same day, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy announced that air defence systems had intercepted a drone attempting to target facilities at the Shaybah oil field in the country’s southeast. Two people were also reported killed in connection with the incident.
Security Tightened at Critical Energy Facilities
Saudi Arabia has reportedly carried out operations against missile-launch sites in Yemen in response to recent Houthi attacks and has pledged to protect its critical infrastructure.
Saudi authorities have said that air defence systems have intercepted multiple missile and drone attacks targeting the kingdom.
The continuing attacks, combined with reports of the evacuation of Aramco’s headquarters, have raised concerns in global energy markets because of the company’s central role in Saudi Arabia’s economy and international oil supplies.
However, there has been no confirmation that the latest evacuation has affected Aramco’s oil production or exports.
The company has not officially announced the specific reason for the evacuation or when employees may return to the headquarters.