Daijiworld Media Network - Riyadh
Riyadh, May 18: Saudi Arabia announced that its air defence systems intercepted three drones after they entered the kingdom’s airspace from neighbouring Iraq, amid growing instability across the Gulf region.
The Saudi Ministry of Defence confirmed the development on Sunday through its official spokesperson, Brigadier General Turki Al-Maliki. In a statement posted on X, he said the kingdom reserves the right to respond “at the appropriate time and place” to any threat against its sovereignty and national security.
Al-Maliki stated that Saudi authorities would continue taking all necessary operational steps to counter attacks targeting the country, its citizens, and residents. The ministry has reported several similar drone interceptions in recent months as regional tensions continue to intensify.
The latest incident comes against the backdrop of escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. The region has remained volatile since US and Israeli strikes on Iran earlier this year triggered retaliatory attacks by Tehran targeting Israel and several American allies in the Gulf.
Iran’s response reportedly included strikes linked to Gulf nations such as the United Arab Emirates, along with disruptions around the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
Although a ceasefire was implemented on April 8 through mediation efforts led by Pakistan, negotiations held in Islamabad failed to secure a long-term agreement. Later, US President Donald Trump announced an indefinite extension of the truce.
Last month, Saudi Arabia summoned Iraq’s ambassador to Riyadh over what it described as repeated drone threats originating from Iraqi territory and targeting Gulf countries.
Meanwhile, Riyadh also condemned a recent drone strike in the UAE that sparked a fire near the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant. According to the UAE defence ministry, two drones were intercepted successfully, while a third drone hit an electrical generator outside the inner security perimeter of the nuclear facility in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra region.
UAE officials said the drones had entered from the “western border,” though no further details regarding their origin or operators were disclosed.