Saudi Arabia Says Drones From Iraq Intercepted Over Eastern Region and Riyadh

Saudi Arabia’s air defences intercepted and destroyed several drones that attempted to target petroleum facilities in the Kingdom’s Eastern Region and Riyadh, the Ministry of Defense said.

Official ministry spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Maliki said the drones were detected and brought down during the past several hours before they could reach their intended targets.

According to Al-Maliki, the attacks were launched from Iraqi territory and were carried out by Iranian-backed armed militias. He described the attempted strikes as terrorist attacks targeting critical infrastructure inside the Kingdom.

The ministry reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s right to defend its territory, national capabilities and vital facilities against such attacks.

Al-Maliki also warned that Saudi Arabia reserves the right to respond to the attacks at a time and place it considers appropriate, without providing further details on any potential response.

The reported interceptions come amid heightened regional security tensions, with petroleum facilities and other strategic infrastructure remaining potential targets during periods of escalation.