Saudi Arabia intercepted and destroyed multiple drones launched from Iraq by Iran-backed groups, targeting oil facilities and Riyadh. Yemen's Houthis claimed responsibility, citing retaliation for Saudi incursions into Yemeni airspace.
The drone attacks highlight ongoing regional tensions involving Iran and its proxies, posing a risk to global oil supplies and regional stability.
Saudi Arabia's air defenses intercepted and destroyed multiple drones launched from Iraq that were targeting oil facilities in the kingdom's Eastern Province and Riyadh, the Saudi Defence Ministry announced. The ministry stated that Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq were responsible for launching the drones.
Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis claimed responsibility for drone attacks on Saudi Arabian oil infrastructure, with their military spokesman Yahya Saree stating that sensitive targets involved in crude oil supply and transport were struck. Saree added that the operation was in response to Saudi drone incursions into Yemeni airspace.
Saudi Arabia has re-routed its crude output to the Red Sea oil export hub of Yanbu via its east-west pipeline to bypass Iranian attacks on shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The Houthis had previously threatened to extend disruptions to global oil supplies to the Red Sea.
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry condemned the attack, reaffirming the kingdom's right to respond to the sources of aggression and deter those responsible. The ministry also urged the Iraqi government to take all necessary measures to prevent its territory from being used as a launchpad for attacks against Saudi Arabia. Major General Turki Al-Maliki, the official spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Defense, described the attempts as terrorist attacks targeting the Kingdom's vital infrastructure.