Middle East

Saudi Arabia says 6 ballistic missiles fired toward Riyadh, 2 intercepted

2 missiles were intercepted while four fell in the Gulf waters, says Defense Ministry

Lina Altawell  | 27.03.2026 - Update : 27.03.2026
Saudi Arabia says 6 ballistic missiles fired toward Riyadh, 2 intercepted

ISTANBUL

Saudi Arabia said Friday that six ballistic missiles were launched toward the Riyadh region amid escalating regional tensions.

Two were intercepted while four fell into Gulf waters and uninhabited areas, the kingdom's Defense Ministry said in a statement on US social media company X.

Earlier, the ministry said three drones had been intercepted and destroyed over Riyadh and the Eastern Province.

One drone was shot down over Riyadh and two others over the Eastern Province, the ministry said, providing no additional details on casualties or exact locations.

Regional escalation has continued to mount since the US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, killing over 1,340 people so far, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Tehran has retaliated with waves of drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, inflicting casualties and infrastructure damage while disrupting global markets and aviation.


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