{"id":2816,"date":"2026-07-28T05:30:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T05:30:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arabnewsmonitor.com\/2026\/07\/28\/saudi-arabia-says-it-intercepted-drones-from-iraq-as-houthis-target-oil-sites\/"},"modified":"2026-07-28T05:30:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T05:30:09","slug":"saudi-arabia-says-it-intercepted-drones-from-iraq-as-houthis-target-oil-sites","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.arabnewsmonitor.com\/?p=2816","title":{"rendered":"Saudi Arabia says it intercepted drones from Iraq as Houthis target oil sites"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-tms-ad-status=\"idle\" data-tms-ad-container class=\"o-ad-container o-ad-container--banner-top o-ad-container--with-shimmer o-ad-container--with-background\">\n<div class=\"o-ad-container__content o-ad-container__content--report-enabled\">\n<div class=\"o-ad-container__label m-block-ad__label--report-enabled\">\n                    <span class=\"o-ad-container__label__text\">Advertising<\/span><br \/>\n                                            <button title=\"Report this ad\" class=\"o-ad-container__content__report-link\" data-tms-ad-report><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/button>\n                                    <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"o-ad-sponsoring\" data-tms-ad-type=\"sponsoring\" data-tms-ad-status=\"disabled\">\n<div class=\"o-ad-sponsoring__wrapper\">\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"t-content t-content--article\" id=\"main-content\">\n<div class=\"t-content__above-sidebar\">\n<h1 class=\"t-content__title a-page-title\">Saudi Arabia says it intercepted drones from Iraq as Houthis target oil sites<\/h1>\n<div class=\"m-master-tag\">\n<div class=\"a-tag-section\">\n                                    Middle East\n                            <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p class=\"t-content__chapo\">\n                                        Saudi Arabia said it intercepted drones launched by Iran-backed militias from Iraq targeting oil facilities and Riyadh on Monday, while Yemen&#8217;s Houthi rebels claimed separate drone strikes on the kingdom&#8217;s oil infrastructure. The attacks mark a renewed escalation involving Saudi Arabia despite a recent lull in fighting between the United States and Iran.                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"t-content__with-sidebar\">\n<div class=\"t-content__beside-sidebar\" data-article-content>\n<div class=\"t-content__metadata\">\n<div class=\"t-content__dates\">\n<p class=\"m-pub-dates\"><span class=\"m-pub-dates__date\">Issued on: <time datetime=\"2026-07-27T14:43:03+00:00\">27\/07\/2026 &#8211; 16:43<\/time><\/span><span class=\"m-pub-dates__date\">Modified: <time datetime=\"2026-07-27T14:44:39+00:00\">27\/07\/2026 &#8211; 16:44<\/time><\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"a-reading-time\">\n    <span class=\"a-reading-time__icon\" title=\"Reading time\"><\/p>\n<p>    <\/span><br \/>\n    2 min    <span class=\"u-sr-only\">Reading time<\/span>\n<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"a-share-button\" data-root-share>\n<p>                            <span class=\"a-master-button__label\">Share<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"t-content__authors\">\n<div class=\"m-from-author\">\n                    <span class=\"m-from-author__by-label\"><br \/>\n                By:<br \/>\n            <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"m-author\">\n<div class=\"m-author__name\">\n                                                    <a href=\"\/en\/author\/france-24\/\" title=\"FRANCE 24\" class=\"m-author__name__title\"><br \/>\n                                FRANCE 24<br \/>\n                            <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"t-content__main-media\">\n<figure class=\"m-item-image m-item-image--16x9 m-item-image--has-caption\">\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"auto\" src=\"https:\/\/s.france24.com\/media\/display\/8c71f7a2-89c7-11f1-b529-005056bfb2b6\/w:1024\/p:16x9\/000-A3ML3ZQ.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/s.france24.com\/media\/display\/8c71f7a2-89c7-11f1-b529-005056bfb2b6\/w:388\/p:16x9\/000-A3ML3ZQ.jpg 388w,https:\/\/s.france24.com\/media\/display\/8c71f7a2-89c7-11f1-b529-005056bfb2b6\/w:720\/p:16x9\/000-A3ML3ZQ.jpg 720w,https:\/\/s.france24.com\/media\/display\/8c71f7a2-89c7-11f1-b529-005056bfb2b6\/w:1024\/p:16x9\/000-A3ML3ZQ.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1076px) 100vw, 1012px\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" alt=\"This handout satellite image taken by 2026 Planet Labs PBC shows the oil infrastructure at Saudi Arabia's western Red Sea port of Yanbu on March 4, 2026.\" loading=\"eager\" class=\"a-img \"><figcaption class=\"a-figcaption\">\n                This handout satellite image taken by 2026 Planet Labs PBC shows the oil infrastructure at Saudi Arabia&#8217;s western Red Sea port of Yanbu on March 4, 2026.        \u00a9 Handout photo, AFP    <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"t-content__body u-clearfix\">\n<p>The Saudi defence ministry said it intercepted several <a href=\"https:\/\/www.france24.com\/en\/tag\/drones\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"gtm-add-suggested-tag\">drones<\/a> launched by pro-Iran groups in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.france24.com\/en\/tag\/iraq\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"gtm-add-suggested-tag\">Iraq<\/a> on Monday, while the Tehran-backed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.france24.com\/en\/tag\/houthi-rebels\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"gtm-add-suggested-tag\">Houthi rebels<\/a> in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.france24.com\/en\/tag\/yemen\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"gtm-add-suggested-tag\">Yemen<\/a> also claimed attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.france24.com\/en\/tag\/saudi-arabia\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"gtm-add-suggested-tag\">Saudi Arabia<\/a> was repeatedly targeted by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.france24.com\/en\/tag\/iran\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"gtm-add-suggested-tag\">Iran<\/a> and its allies at the height of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.france24.com\/en\/tag\/middle-east\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"gtm-add-suggested-tag\">Middle East<\/a> war, but the latest attacks come during a lull in the fighting since Saturday, following 13 days of exchanges of fire between the US and Iran.<\/p>\n<p>The Saudi defence ministry said &#8220;terrorist attempts were launched from Iraqi territory and carried out by Iranian-backed terrorist militias&#8221;, according to an official statement posted on social media.<\/p>\n<p class=\"a-read-more\"><span class=\"a-read-more__label\">Read more<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.france24.com\/en\/middle-east\/20260724-yemen-s-houthis-say-they-hit-saudi-arabia-as-trump-weighs-harder-iran-strikes\" target=\"_self\" class=\"a-read-more__link\">Houthis target Saudi oil facilities as fighting on new Middle East front intensifies<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The ministry said the drones targeted petroleum facilities in areas in the country&#8217;s east and the capital Riyadh.<\/p>\n<p>Saudi Arabia demanded that Iraq &#8220;take all necessary measures to ensure the prevention of the use of its territory as a launching point&#8221; for attacks, according to a separate statement posted by an official Saudi broadcaster.<\/p>\n<p>Pro-Iran armed groups based in Iraq have not claimed any attacks in Iraq or the region since the resumption of hostilities between the US and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.france24.com\/en\/tag\/iran\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"gtm-add-suggested-tag\">Iran<\/a> earlier this month after an April ceasefire broke down.<\/p>\n<p>Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations had accused pro-Iran militias in Iraq of launching waves of attacks targeting their territory during the earlier phase of the conflict.<\/p>\n<p>Riyadh and Yemen&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.france24.com\/en\/tag\/houthi-rebels\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"gtm-add-suggested-tag\">Houthi rebels<\/a> have also traded strikes in recent days, with the Houthis announcing the imposition of a naval blockade on the kingdom&#8217;s ports.<\/p>\n<p class=\"a-read-more\"><span class=\"a-read-more__label\">Read more<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.france24.com\/en\/middle-east\/20260723-trump-threatens-iran-and-houthi-rebels-with-major-military-punishment\" target=\"_self\" class=\"a-read-more__link\">Trump threatens Iran and Houthi rebels with &#8216;major military punishment&#8217;<\/a><\/p>\n<p>On Monday, the Houthis said they launched drone attacks on Saudi Arabian oil infrastructure in response to incursions by the kingdom&#8217;s drones.<\/p>\n<p>Riyadh had yet to comment on the Houthi&#8217;s claims.<\/p>\n<p>A Saudi-led military coalition had fought against the Houthi rebels in support of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.france24.com\/en\/tag\/yemen\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"gtm-add-suggested-tag\">Yemen<\/a>&#8216;s internationally recognised government after war broke out in the country in 2015.<\/p>\n<p>The latest flare-up between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis marks the first time in years the two sides have traded blows, threatening a 2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.france24.com\/en\/tag\/truce\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"gtm-add-suggested-tag\">truce<\/a> in the previous conflict that has held despite expiring.<\/p>\n<p><em>(FRANCE 24 with AFP)<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"o-sidebar\">\n<div class=\"o-sidebar__aside\">\n<div data-tms-ad-status=\"idle\" data-tms-ad-container class=\"o-ad-container o-ad-container--box o-ad-container--with-shimmer\">\n<div class=\"o-ad-container__content o-ad-container__content--report-enabled\">\n<div class=\"o-ad-container__label m-block-ad__label--report-enabled\">\n                    <span class=\"o-ad-container__label__text\">Advertising<\/span><br \/>\n                                            <button title=\"Report this ad\" class=\"o-ad-container__content__report-link\" data-tms-ad-report><\/p>\n<p>                        <\/button>\n                                    <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"t-content__tags t-content__below-sidebar\">\n<div class=\"m-section-title m-section-title--small\">Keywords for this article<\/div>\n<ul class=\"m-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"m-tags-list__tag\">\n                <a href=\"\/en\/tag\/saudi-arabia\/\" class=\"a-hot-tag\" title=\"Saudi Arabia\">    Saudi Arabia<\/a>\n            <\/li>\n<li class=\"m-tags-list__tag\">\n                <a href=\"\/en\/tag\/iran-conflict\/\" class=\"a-hot-tag\" title=\"Iran war\">    Iran war<\/a>\n            <\/li>\n<li class=\"m-tags-list__tag\">\n                <a href=\"\/en\/tag\/iran\/\" class=\"a-hot-tag\" title=\"Iran\">    Iran<\/a>\n            <\/li>\n<li class=\"m-tags-list__tag\">\n                <a href=\"\/en\/tag\/oil\/\" class=\"a-hot-tag\" title=\"Oil and gas industry\">    Oil and gas industry<\/a>\n            <\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Advertising Saudi Arabia says it intercepted drones from Iraq as Houthis target oil sites Middle&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":2817,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2816","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-middle-east"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.arabnewsmonitor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2816","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.arabnewsmonitor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.arabnewsmonitor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.arabnewsmonitor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2816"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.arabnewsmonitor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2816\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.arabnewsmonitor.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2817"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.arabnewsmonitor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2816"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.arabnewsmonitor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2816"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.arabnewsmonitor.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2816"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}