Three people were killed and eight others injured in two separate attacks targeting a Saudi Aramco oil field and King Fahd International Airport in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province on October 21, marking the latest escalation in the ongoing conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

The first attack occurred early on October 21, when a drone strike struck Aramco’s Shaybah oil field, a site with the capacity to produce about one million barrels of crude oil daily. The Saudi Energy Ministry reported that operations at the field continued uninterrupted despite the attack, which targeted a processing facility and caused a vehicle to catch fire outside the perimeter. Two fatalities resulted from the strike: one worker from Nepal and another from the Philippines. The ministry did not provide additional details or identify its spokesperson.

Later the same day, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam was targeted, resulting in the death of one person and injuries to eight others, with the severity of injuries ranging from minor to serious. The General Authority of Civil Aviation announced the casualty figures and noted that assessments of the damage to the airport were still ongoing.

Although the Houthi rebels, who have intensified cross-border attacks into Saudi Arabia in recent months, have frequently carried out strikes against various targets including airports, they did not immediately claim responsibility for these latest attacks.

The conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis has been marked by repeated missile and drone attacks by the rebel group, which controls large parts of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa. The Houthis, who are supported by Iran, have increased their targeting of Saudi infrastructure since September. Previous attacks include a drone strike on Aramco’s headquarters in Dhahran and repeated assaults on airports in Riyadh, which have killed at least 17 people.

These attacks have had broader implications for Saudi Arabia’s economy and international engagements. The kingdom’s major investment conference, the Future Investment Initiative, was postponed until 2027 due to security concerns arising from the ongoing Houthi campaign.

In response to the heightened threat, the U.S. State Department announced an ordered departure for non-emergency government personnel and their families from Saudi Arabia on October 21. The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh also advised travelers to exercise extreme caution when using Saudi airports amid the strike risks.

Saudi-led coalition forces in Yemen reported intercepting multiple drones in the eastern region on the day of the attacks. The coalition intensified military operations against Houthi-held areas in early October, aiming to reclaim territory and diminish the rebel group’s capabilities. Meanwhile, the Houthis continue to exert control over strategic locations in Yemen, including routes near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical maritime chokepoint for global energy and shipping routes.