Saudi Aramco headquarters attack: extensive damage reported, operations continue

October 15 update: operations continue despite major building damage

New reporting has added a substantive damage assessment to the October 13 attack on Saudi Aramco’s headquarters complex in Dhahran. Reuters reported on October 15 that three people with direct knowledge of the site described extensive damage, with fire affecting several floors of the south wing. The company’s operations at the complex continued, although some employees were asked to work from home and some functions were shifted to other offices.

• Saudi Arabia’s Energy Ministry earlier described the fire as limited and said there were no injuries or deaths.
• Reuters’ sources said the damage affected floors six through ten and included the upper-floor executive-office area. Saudi Aramco had not publicly commented on that detailed assessment when Reuters published it.
• Associated Press independently reported damage to senior executives’ offices and no casualties.
• The attack occurred late on October 13. This article’s original publication date has been retained; it has not been republished as a new event.

The official account and the later source-based damage assessment differ in emphasis. The ministry’s statement addressed the fire and casualties, while Reuters’ newer report described the building damage in greater detail. No interruption to oil production or exports has been confirmed.