Saudi Arabia intercepts drones from Iraq; Houthis claim attacks on oil sites

Published Jul 27, 05:41 PM UTC

On July 27, 2026, the Saudi Defence Ministry reported intercepting multiple drones launched from Iraqi territory by Iranian-backed militias, targeting petroleum facilities in eastern Saudi Arabia and Riyadh. Separately, Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi rebels claimed drone attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure, citing retaliation for Saudi drone incursions. The attacks occur during a lull in fighting following 13 days of US-Iran exchanges after an April ceasefire collapsed. Saudi Arabia demanded Iraq prevent further use of its territory for attacks. The Houthi strikes mark the first significant escalation between the two sides in years, threatening a 2022 truce that had held despite expiring. Pro-Iran Iraqi groups had not claimed attacks since hostilities resumed earlier in July.