S Arabia intercepts over 60 drones since midnight

Israel begins 'limited ground operations' against Hezbollah in Lebanon

FE Team | Published: March 16, 2026 22:24:10

Wedding guests sit in a bomb shelter after sirens wailed of an impending projectile attack in Jerusalem on Monday — AFP

RIYADH, Mar 16 (AFP): Saudi Arabia has intercepted more than 60 drones since midnight, according to a tally of defence ministry figures released on Monday.
The Saudi defence ministry posted a series of statements on X describing the interception of a total of 61 drones in the east of the country in the early hours of Monday morning.
UAE intercepting Iranian
missiles and drones
The United Arab Emirates' air defence systems were intercepting Iranian missiles and drones on Monday, the Gulf nation's defence ministry said.
"UAE air defences are currently responding to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran," the UAE Ministry of Defence posted on X.
Earlier, Dubai authorities said a "drone-related incident" had sparked a fire near the airport and flights had been temporarily suspended.
The Israeli military said on Monday it had begun what it described as "limited ground operations" against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, with Defence Minister Israel Katz warning that those displaced would not return home until northern Israel was secure.
Lebanon was drawn into the Middle East war on March 2 when the Tehran-backed Hezbollah attacked Israel in response to the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in US-Israeli strikes.
Israel responded with air raids on its northern neighbour and troop incursions into border areas.
"In recent days, IDF troops from the 91st division have begun limited and targeted ground operations against key Hezbollah strongholds in southern Lebanon, aimed at enhancing the forward defence area," the military said in a statement.
"This activity is part of broader defensive efforts to establish and strengthen a forward defensive posture, which includes the dismantling of terrorist infrastructure and the elimination of terrorists operating in the area, in order to remove threats and create an additional layer of security for residents of northern Israel," it said.