Rapid response: Saudi Arabia destroys 12 threatening drones

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence announced on March 16 that 12 drones were intercepted and destroyed.

The ministry’s spokesperson, Brigadier General Turki Al Malki, said the drones were intercepted and neutralised in the Eastern Province.

The current surge in drone and missile activity over Saudi Arabia is linked to an ongoing regional conflict triggered by US‑Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, which prompted Tehran to retaliate with waves of drones and missiles across the Gulf, including at Saudi military and energy infrastructure.

Since early March, Saudi Arabia has reported multiple interceptions of Iranian drones and missiles targeting key sites such as oil refineries, the US Embassy in Riyadh, and Prince Sultan Air Base, as part of this broader escalation.

Riyadh has condemned these cross‑border attacks and reiterated its commitment to defend territorial security while warning Tehran against further aggression, even as Tehran publicly denies involvement in some attacks on Saudi sites.

By Jeyhun Aghazada