Saudi Air Defenses Intercept Multiple Drones Targeting Riyadh and Other Areas

08/03/2026

Saudi Air Defenses Intercept Multiple Drones Targeting Riyadh and Other Areas

RIYADH, March 8: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence announced that its air defense systems intercepted multiple drones launched toward the Kingdom during the early hours of Sunday, successfully foiling several attacks without causing casualties or material damage.

The Ministry reported that interceptions took place in successive waves, beginning at 2:19 a.m. with eight drones downed, followed by six more east of Riyadh at 3:16 a.m. and additional drones intercepted at 3:55 a.m. and 4:31 a.m. By 4:54 a.m., Saudi authorities confirmed they had thwarted an attempt to target the diplomatic quarter in Riyadh.

Operations continued through the morning, with further drones intercepted east of Riyadh at 6:05 a.m. and in the Empty Quarter at 6:08 a.m., heading toward the Shaybah oil field. Subsequent interceptions followed at 6:10 a.m., 6:33 a.m., and 6:40 a.m., during which multiple drones were downed over Riyadh city and its eastern outskirts.

The Ministry affirmed that the Kingdom’s air defense units remain on high alert and are fully capable of countering any aerial threats to safeguard national security, critical infrastructure, and civilian areas.