RIYADH – Saudi Arabia’s air defense forces intercepted and destroyed 16 drones targeting the vacant Shaybah oil field, the Ministry of Defense said in a series of statements on Saturday.
Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki said the four drones were intercepted and destroyed in an open field while en route to Shaiba airfield.
He said in a separate statement that six more drones were intercepted and destroyed in another attempted attack on the site.
He then intercepted and destroyed four other drones headed for Shaiba, and then announced two additional drones also headed for the scene.
Al-Maliki also said that Saudi air defense forces intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile fired towards Prince Sultan Air Base.
In another incident, a drone was intercepted and destroyed east of Riyadh, it said.
Early Friday morning, Saudi air defense forces intercepted and destroyed a cruise missile east of Khalj province.
The interception took place amid continued tension in the region.


