Saudi Arabia: Air defenses thwart drone attack on oil facilities in the Eastern Province and Riyadh

The official spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense, Major General Turki Al-Maliki, stated that, in continuation of the statements issued by the Ministry of Defense on Monday, 13 Safar 1448 AH (corresponding to July 27, 2026), and Tuesday, 14 Safar 1448 AH (corresponding to July 28, 2026), air defenses intercepted and destroyed several drones that attempted to target petroleum facilities in the Eastern and Riyadh regions.

These terrorist attacks originated from Iraqi territory and were carried out by Iran-aligned terrorist militias. The Kingdom reaffirmed its inherent right to self-defense, to protect its assets and capabilities, and its right to respond at the time and place of its choosing. This is in accordance with the Quranic verse: “And if you are attacked, then attack [in return] with the same severity with which you were attacked,” and in line with the right to self-defense guaranteed by international law under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.

Today, Wednesday, 15 Safar 1448 AH (corresponding to July 29, 2026), the Saudi Armed Forces, in coordination with the U.S. Central Command, launched precise strikes against targets belonging to those militias located on the territory of the Republic of Iraq and linked to the attacks on petroleum facilities in the Kingdom. The Kingdom emphasized that it does not seek escalation but will respond to any aggression it faces.