World · Middle East · 1 hr ago
Saudi Arabia intercepts drones as Egypt considers defensive support
Saudi Arabia said it intercepted four drones over Riyadh, the Eastern Province and the south on Oct.
17.
The kingdom is facing repeated missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Houthis, including a strike on Riyadh’s airport last week that killed 13 people.
Saudi Arabia leads a coalition backing Yemen’s internationally recognised government, and has carried out air strikes against the Houthis.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Egypt could take defensive measures to protect Saudi Arabia if asked, while ruling out a desire to attack anyone.
Egypt has been part of the coalition, mainly working on Red Sea maritime security rather than fighting in Yemen.
Egypt’s parliament will hold an emergency session on Oct.
18 at Sisi’s request.
The Houthis also reported Saudi strikes in Yemen, while Iran offered to mediate and Yemen’s foreign minister rejected the offer.
Saudi Arabia said it intercepted and destroyed four drones over Riyadh, the Eastern Province and the south.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Egypt was willing to take defensive measures to protect Saudi Arabia if asked.
Sisi said Egypt was not seeking to intervene in regional wars and was speaking only about defence.
Egypt’s parliament was due to hold an emergency session on October 18 at Sisi’s request.
The interceptions came amid renewed Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and Saudi air strikes in Yemen.
- Who
- Saudi coalition forces intercepted the drones. Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Egypt could help defend Saudi Arabia.
- What
- The coalition said it intercepted and destroyed four drones. Egypt was considering defensive support for Saudi Arabia.
- When
- October 17, 2026. Egypt’s parliament was due to meet on October 18.
- Where
- The drones were intercepted over Riyadh, the Eastern Province and southern Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- The interceptions came amid repeated Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia. Sisi said Egypt was willing to protect Saudi Arabia if its leaders requested help.
Saudi-led coalition
Houthis
Responsibility for escalation
Saudi-led coalition
Saudi Arabia has accused the Houthis of repeated attacks on the kingdom.
Houthis
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said Saudi Arabia carried out 53 strikes in Yemen over 24 hours, causing numerous casualties.
Civilian harm
Saudi-led coalition
The coalition said it intercepted and destroyed four drones over Saudi Arabia.
Houthis
A Houthi-affiliated news agency alleged Saudi strikes hit civilian residences, killing 12 people and wounding more than 30.
Yemen’s conflict flared back to life after a years-long hiatus, and Saudi Arabia faced renewed Houthi attacks.
An attack on Riyadh’s airport killed 13 people.
Saudi Arabia said it intercepted four drones, and Sisi said Egypt was willing to take measures to protect the kingdom if asked.
Egypt’s parliament was due to hold an emergency session at Sisi’s request.
- Drones intercepted
- 4
- Reported locations
- Riyadh, Eastern Province and southern Saudi Arabia
- Egyptian president
- Abdel Fattah al-Sisi
- Egypt parliament session
- October 18, 2026
- Deaths in Riyadh airport attack last week
- 13
3 sources
What people are saying
We intercepted and destroyed four drones over the past few hours in the regions of Riyadh, the Eastern Province, and the South
carry out any measure to protect
I’m not talking about fighting anyone or attacking anyone. We are speaking only about defence.
comprehensive political process as the only practical and sustainable way to resolve