Riyadh: The Ministry of Defense Saudi Arabia said it had successfully repelled a large-scale drone and missile attack targeting the country’s Eastern Province, marking the second consecutive day of intensified aerial threats.
According to official spokesperson Turki al-Maliki, air defence forces intercepted and destroyed 34 drones that entered the region on Thursday alone. The development follows a similar incident a day earlier, when the Royal Saudi Air Force shot down 36 drones and one ballistic missile aimed at the same area.
With the latest interceptions, Saudi forces have neutralised nearly 100 drones and missiles within a 48-hour period. Authorities indicated that the Eastern Province and the capital, Riyadh, remain the primary targets of these attacks.
The ministry said the operations were carried out through coordinated efforts between the air defence units and the air force. Cumulatively, the forces have intercepted around 795 drones to date, along with 51 ballistic missiles and seven cruise missiles, before they could reach intended targets.
Officials stressed that the country remains on high alert, reaffirming its readiness to counter further threats and ensure the safety of its citizens and critical infrastructure.
Last week, Saudi Arabia’s air defences intercepted dozens of drones in the early hours of Saturday after Iran stepped up attacks on Gulf energy facilities following Israel’s strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field. The Saudi Defense Ministry said 51 drones were launched toward the Eastern Province, where key oil fields and refineries are located.
Last Thursday, defence forces intercepted a large-scale wave of drone and missile attacks targeting multiple regions across Saudi Arabia. The defence ministry spokesperson, Major General Turki al-Maliki, said a total of 27 drones and three ballistic missiles were successfully shot down over Riyadh, the Eastern Province and Yanbu on the day.