Saudi Arabia's air defenses intercepted and destroyed drones launched from Iraq on Monday. The Saudi Defence Ministry stated that the drones, launched by Iran-backed armed groups, attempted to target Riyadh and oil facilities in the kingdom's Eastern Province.
Simultaneously, Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels claimed separate drone strikes on the kingdom's oil infrastructure. The Houthis stated they targeted several sensitive crude oil supply and transport sites that link eastern Saudi Arabia to Yanbu, a critical Red Sea oil export hub.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks and reaffirmed the kingdom's right to respond to the aggression and deter those responsible. Additionally, the ministry called on the Iraqi government to take all necessary measures to prevent Iraqi territory from being used as a launchpad for attacks against Saudi Arabia.
These events mark a renewed escalation involving Saudi Arabia despite a recent lull in fighting between the United States and Iran. The kingdom is being dragged deeper into the wider regional conflict as it faces attacks from both Iraq and Yemen.