Saudi Air Defenses Intercept Drones from Iraq Targeting Petroleum Facilities

MIDDLE EAST — On July 27, the Saudi Ministry of Defense stated that air defenses intercepted and destroyed a number of drones during the past hours that attempted to target petroleum facilities in the Eastern Region and Riyadh.

The official spokesperson, Major General Turki Al-Maliki, said the attempts were launched from Iraqi territory and carried out by Iranian-backed terrorist militias.

The ministry affirmed the Kingdom’s legitimate right to defend itself and its capabilities and its retention of the right to respond at the appropriate time and place.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs separately expressed condemnation in the strongest terms of the UAV attacks launched against the Kingdom by Iran-affiliated militias in Iraq, affirmed determination to safeguard security and sovereignty, reiterated the sovereign right to respond to the sources of the aggression, and stressed the critical need for the Iraqi government to take all necessary measures to ensure its territory is not used as a launchpad for such hostile actions.

No official statement from the Iraqi government or Iranian authorities on the July 27 interception was located as of the latest available reporting.

In a separate incident on July 25, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree stated that forces carried out operations with ballistic missiles and drones targeting Aramco facilities in Jizan and Yanbu, describing the actions as a response to recent Saudi strikes in Yemen.

What Happened

• Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed a number of drones during the past hours on July 27 that attempted to target petroleum facilities in the Eastern Region and Riyadh, according to Ministry of Defense spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Maliki.

• The ministry stated the attempts were launched from Iraqi territory and carried out by Iranian-backed terrorist militias.

• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the UAV attacks by Iran-affiliated militias in Iraq and called on the Iraqi government to prevent its territory from being used as a launchpad.

• On July 25, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree stated that forces launched ballistic missiles and drones targeting Aramco facilities in Jizan and Yanbu in response to Saudi strikes.

Saudi Attribution and Response Rights

Major General Turki Al-Maliki stated that the terrorist attempts were launched from Iraqi territory and carried out by Iranian-backed terrorist militias.

The ministry affirmed the Kingdom’s legitimate right to defend itself and its capabilities and its retention of the right to respond at the appropriate time and place.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Saudi Arabia affirmed its determination to safeguard its security and sovereignty and deter the aggressors, reiterating its sovereign right to respond to the sources of the aggression.

Official Statements

• Major General Turki Al-Maliki, Spokesperson, Saudi Ministry of Defense, July 27: “Air defenses intercepted and destroyed a number of drones during the past hours that attempted to target petroleum facilities in the Eastern Region and Riyadh. These terrorist attempts were launched from Iraqi territory and carried out by Iranian-backed terrorist militias, affirming the Kingdom’s legitimate right to defend itself and its capabilities, and its retention of the right to respond at the appropriate time and place.”

• Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, July 27: “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed Saudi Arabia’s condemnation in the strongest terms of the reprehensible UAV attacks launched against the Kingdom by Iran-affiliated militias in Iraq. Saudi Arabia affirmed its determination to safeguard its security and sovereignty and deter the aggressors, reiterating its sovereign right to respond to the sources of the aggression and stressing the critical need for the Iraqi government to take all necessary measures to ensure its territory is not used as a launchpad for such hostile actions.”

• Yahya Saree, Houthi military spokesperson, July 25: Forces carried out two qualitative military operations targeting sensitive Aramco facilities in Jizan with dozens of ballistic missiles and drones, and targeting sensitive Aramco facilities in Yanbu with ballistic and cruise missiles and drones, in response to Saudi strikes.