Saudi Arabia Intercepts 11 Drones and One Missile in Its Airspace

The Saudi-led coalition intercepted and destroyed at least 11 drones and one ballistic missile detected in Saudi airspace. Several of the drones that were shot down were reportedly heading towards the capital, Riyadh, and the holy city of Medina.

The latest interceptions, part of a recent spate of drone and missile activity, were reported by the coalition’s spokesperson, Major General Turki Al-Maliki, in a statement on social media platform X on Thursday (22 October), local time, according to Anadolu Agency on Friday (23 October 2026).

Al-Maliki said the drones were intercepted over Riyadh, the Eastern Province and Medina, while a ballistic missile was intercepted as it headed towards the Najran area in south-western Saudi Arabia.

No further details were given about where the drones came from or where they were launched, or whether the interceptions caused damage or injuries.

The announcement came as Saudi Arabia has faced repeated missile and drone attacks in recent weeks by the Iran-backed Houthi group, which is based in Yemen.

Saudi authorities had earlier reported that at least four people were killed in a series of attacks in the Eastern Province.

Two people were killed by falling debris after air defences foiled a drone attack on an Aramco oil facility, while two others died in an attack that struck King Fahd International Airport in Dammam.

On Wednesday (21 October), the Saudi-led coalition said its air defences had intercepted seven drones, some of which were heading towards Medina.

The latest developments come amid a continuing escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis since last July, as well as renewed fighting between the group and forces belonging to Yemen’s internationally recognised government.

Since March 2025, Saudi Arabia has led a military coalition supporting the Yemeni government against the Houthis. The group has controlled strategic areas of Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa, since September 2014.