Ankara: Saudi Arabia reported the interception of 23 drones and three missiles in its airspace on Saturday.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Saudi Defense Ministry announced on US social media platform X that two drones were intercepted and destroyed east of Riyadh, the nation's capital. Additionally, the ministry stated that 21 drones were intercepted in the Empty Quarter desert, which were aimed at the Shaybah oil field located in the southeast of the country.

The Defense Ministry further reported the interception and destruction of three ballistic missiles targeting Prince Sultan Air Base in the Al-Kharj province, situated southeast of Riyadh. The origin of the drones and missiles was not specified by the ministry, but the incident occurs amidst ongoing Iranian attacks on sites in several Arab countries.

Iran launched missiles and drones towards Israel and Gulf countries with US military bases on February 28, resulting in casualties and damage to civilian sites, including ports and residential buildings. Tehran described these attacks as a response to a US-Israeli military operation against Iran, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of hundreds, including Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and top military officials.