RIYADH: Saudi air defence systems intercepted and destroyed several drones and a ballistic missile targeting key locations across the Kingdom, the defence ministry said, as regional tensions continue to escalate.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence, Major General Turki Al-Maliki, said nine drones heading toward the Shaybah oil field were intercepted and destroyed in the Empty Quarter desert.
المتحدث الرسمي لـ #وزارة_الدفاع: اعتراض وتدمير تسع مسيّرات بالربع الخالي متجهة إلى حقل شيبة.
— وزارة الدفاع (@modgovksa) March 9, 2026
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the drones were neutralised by air defence systems before they could reach their intended targets.
The ministry also confirmed the interception and destruction of a ballistic missile that had been launched toward Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Region.
المتحدث الرسمي لـ #وزارة_الدفاع: اعتراض وتدمير صاروخ باليستي أُطلق باتجاه المنطقة الشرقية.
— وزارة الدفاع (@modgovksa) March 9, 2026
In a statement, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence said the missile was successfully intercepted and destroyed by Saudi air defence units.
