Capiotals, March 19 (SANA) Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait said Thursday their air defense systems intercepted drones and missiles across their territories amid ongoing regional escalation.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense said its air defenses intercepted and destroyed eight drones over Riyadh and the Eastern Province, in addition to intercepting and destroying a ballistic missile over the port of Yanbu.
The ministry also reported that another drone crashed inside the SAMREF refinery in Yanbu.
Ministry spokesperson Brig. Gen. Turki al-Maliki said in a statement posted on X platform that air defenses “successfully intercepted and destroyed eight unmanned aerial vehicles this morning in the Riyadh and Eastern regions.”
Earlier, the ministry confirmed the interception and destruction of 17 additional drones over Riyadh and the Eastern Province in separate incidents.
In Kuwait, National Guard spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jadaan Fadel Jadaan said a task force unit downed five drones in areas under its protection.
“The unit managed at dawn today to down five drones within the areas of responsibility it secures,” he said in a statement on X, adding that the operation is part of ongoing efforts to enhance security, protect vital sites and counter potential threats.
He urged the public to follow safety instructions issued by authorities, stressing that the National Guard, in coordination with the army, police and fire services, remains ready to respond to any threats and safeguard national security.
The Kuwaiti National Guard had also announced Wednesday the downing of additional drones in the country’s airspace.
In the United Arab Emirates, the Ministry of Defense said it responded to missile and drone attacks originating from Iran.
The state news agency WAM quoted the ministry as saying that “UAE air defense systems are engaging ballistic missile attacks and unmanned aircraft launched from Iran,” noting that sounds heard across parts of the country were the result of intercepting missiles and engaging drones and loitering munitions using air defense systems and fighter aircraft.
The incidents come amid continued regional escalation involving missile and drone attacks targeting several countries and affecting infrastructure and security conditions.
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