RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s air defences intercepted and destroyed a new wave of aerial threats early Saturday, including drones targeting Aramco’s Shaybah oil field, the Ministry of Defense said.
In a series of posts on X, ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki said 14 drones headed toward the Shaybah field were intercepted and destroyed over the Rub’ al-Khali, also known as the Empty Quarter.
Al-Maliki said air defences also intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile and a cruise missile launched toward Prince Sultan Air Base in Al-Kharj.
المتحدث الرسمي لـ #وزارة_الدفاع: اعتراض وتدمير 4 مسيّرات في الربع الخالي متجهة إلى حقل شيبة. pic.twitter.com/Rupt1WYFos
— وزارة الدفاع (@modgovksa) March 7, 2026
The attempted strike marked the third consecutive day that Al-Kharj, an industrial zone about 80 kilometers southeast of Riyadh, has been targeted.
The attempt on the Shaybah field was the first since Feb. 28, when Israel and the United States launched a large-scale air campaign against Iran, triggering retaliatory strikes by Tehran across parts of the Gulf region, reports Arab News.
Located deep in the Empty Quarter, Shaybah is one of Saudi Arabia’s largest oil fields. In addition to its vast crude reserves, the field plays a key role in the Kingdom’s gas strategy through a major processing facility that supplies natural gas liquids to the petrochemical sector.
المتحدث الرسمي لـ #وزارة_الدفاع: اعتراض وتدمير صاروخ باليستي أُطلق باتجاه قاعدة الأمير سلطان الجوية. pic.twitter.com/Wx3oqFuZxP
— وزارة الدفاع (@modgovksa) March 7, 2026
The attempted attacks come amid a broader surge in aerial threats across the Gulf.
In the past 24 hours, the United Arab Emirates reported intercepting more than 125 drones and six ballistic missiles.
On Friday, Saudi air defences shot down five missiles launched toward Prince Sultan Air Base, along with four drones in the eastern Riyadh region. One drone was also intercepted in the Eastern Province and another in Al-Kharj.
On Thursday, Saudi defences destroyed three cruise missiles targeting Al-Kharj hours after a drone attack was intercepted over the Ras Tanura refinery in the Eastern Province.
Regional organizations have condemned the attacks.
During an extraordinary ministerial meeting in Riyadh on March 1, the Gulf Cooperation Council affirmed the right of member states to defend their territories.
Following a Cabinet session chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on March 3, Saudi Arabia said it reserves the full right to respond and will take all necessary measures to protect its territory, citizens, and residents.
