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Greek-Operated System Shoots Down Missile, Drone Over Saudi
Confirmed
In Short: The Greek Patriot system, operated by Greek military personnel, successfully shot down both the missile and the drone, according to a Greek security source who spoke to Reuters.
On Thursday, Saudi air defences intercepted a ballistic missile and a drone attempting to target the cities of Taif and Yanbu, according to Major General Turki al-Malki, the spokesman for the Saudi-backed Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen.
The Greek Patriot system, operated by Greek military personnel, successfully shot down both the missile and the drone, according to a Greek security source who spoke to Reuters.
The coalition statement came as Saudi Arabia issued alerts warning of potential danger in several regions, including the holy city of Mecca, the northwestern area of Tabuk, and the Red Sea areas of Jeddah and Yanbu.
Earlier in the week, Saudi Arabia intercepted a drone launched by the Houthis towards Mecca, an accusation the group denied.
Forces with Yemen’s Saudi-backed internationally recognised government said they repelled Houthi attacks in Yemen’s southwestern Taiz governorate on Thursday.
Yanbu port, a key facility for Saudi crude shipments, is strategically important, especially when shipments through the Strait of Hormuz are disrupted.
No response from Yemen’s Houthis regarding the coalition’s claim that its missiles targeted Taif and Yanbu.
What this adds
The incident highlights the ongoing tensions and the use of advanced air defence systems in the region.
The source did not provide details on the origin of the drone and the ballistic missile.
Background
Poland has joined a European coalition aimed at developing joint counter-ballistic missile capabilities, alongside Ukraine and nine other European states.
A Russian missile and drone attack on Kyiv and surrounding areas injured at least 18 people, including children, according to Ukrainian authorities.
What's confirmed
- On Thursday, Saudi air defences intercepted a ballistic missile and a drone attempting to target the cities of Taif and Yanbu, according to Major General Turki al-Malki, the spokesman for the Saudi-backed Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen.
- The Greek Patriot system, operated by Greek military personnel, successfully shot down both the missile and the drone, according to a Greek security source who spoke to Reuters.
- The coalition statement came as Saudi Arabia issued alerts warning of potential danger in several regions, including the holy city of Mecca, the northwestern area of Tabuk, and the Red Sea areas of Jeddah and Yanbu.
- Earlier in the week, Saudi Arabia intercepted a drone launched by the Houthis towards Mecca, an accusation the group denied.
- Forces with Yemen’s Saudi-backed internationally recognised government said they repelled Houthi attacks in Yemen’s southwestern Taiz governorate on Thursday.
- Yanbu port, a key facility for Saudi crude shipments, is strategically important, especially when shipments through the Strait of Hormuz are disrupted.
- No response from Yemen’s Houthis regarding the coalition’s claim that its missiles targeted Taif and Yanbu.
What's still developing
- Nothing material beyond the confirmed record.