RIYADH, JUL 27: Saudi Arabia’s air defenses intercepted and destroyed several drones launched from Iraqi territory by Iran-backed militias, the Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense said on Monday.

Ministry of Defense spokesman Major General Turki al-Maliki said the drones had attempted to target oil facilities in the Kingdom’s Eastern Province and the Riyadh region over the past few hours.

Al-Maliki said the attack was carried out by “Iran-backed terrorist militias” operating from Iraqi territory.

He added that Saudi Arabia has the legitimate right to defend itself and retains the right to respond at a time and place of its choosing.

In a separate statement, the Saudi foreign ministry condemned the “reprehensible” drone attacks, reiterating the Kingdom’s determination to safeguard its security and sovereignty and “deter aggressors.”

The ministry also affirmed Saudi Arabia’s right to respond to the source of the attacks and urged the Iraqi government to take all necessary measures to prevent its territory from being used as a launchpad for attacks against the Kingdom.