Drone strike sparks fire at Saudi refinery as missile near Riyadh Airport is intercepted
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A correspondent for Semafor reported on X on Monday, citing sources, that a minor fire had been brought under control at an Saudi Aramco refinery facility in Ras Tanura, following what appeared to be a drone strike earlier that morning.
A source told Reuters that Saudi Aramco had shut down its refinery in Ras Tanura as a precautionary measure following a drone attack, adding that the situation is under control.
حريق في موقع تابع لشركة أرامكو السعودية بعد تعرضه لضربة بطائرة مسيرة ايرانية pic.twitter.com/LPIiP5jNma
— شبكة الإعلام العراقي (@iraqmedianet) March 2, 2026
The spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense, Major General Turki Al-Maliki, confirmed that two drones attempting to target the Ras Tanura refinery were intercepted, affirming the success of the operation to thwart the attack.
Turki Al-Maliki told Al Arabiya that no civilian injuries were recorded as a result of the interception, noting that a limited fire broke out inside the refinery due to falling debris and was quickly brought under control.
He added that the relevant authorities had begun handling the incident, taking the necessary measures to ensure the facility’s safety and the continuity of operations.
On Sunday, Saudi Arabia intercepted Iranian attacks targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Prince Sultan Air Base, which hosts U.S. military personnel, according to a Gulf source who spoke to Agence France-Presse.
The source familiar with defense matters, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue, said, “Air defense forces successfully intercepted an Iranian missile near King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, as well as near Prince Sultan Air Base, on Sunday afternoon.”
The source clarified that the interception did not disrupt air traffic or result in any human or material losses.
An eyewitness in Al-Janadriyah, near the airport in the northeast of the capital, confirmed “seeing and hearing the air defense interception of the missile in the sky.”
Residents and correspondents from Agence France-Presse heard explosions on Sunday afternoon in eastern Riyadh near King Khalid International Airport.