LIVE UPDATES: Saudi Arabia Intercepts Drones Trying To Attack Ras Tanura Oil Refinery

(MENAFN- The Peninsula) The Peninsula Online

Doha, Qatar: Interceptions continue across different parts of the Middle East region as loud bangs have been recorded across the Gulf cities of Dubai, Doha and Manama Monday morning, third days since Iran pressed on with its retaliatory campaign.

** Stay tuned for more updates.**

** 11:35am Doha Time**

** Saudi Arabia intercepts drones trying to attack oil refinery, debris sparked fire**

Two drones that“attempted to attack” the Ras Tanura refinery this morning were intercepted and destroyed, Saudi Arabia’s Defence Ministry has said in reports carried by Saudi state-run SPA news agency.

A“small” fire broke out as a result of the debris falling during the interception operation, it said, adding that there were no civilian casualties. Read more

** 11:28am Doha Time**

** Amazon cloud services in Bahrain, UAE disrupted: Al Jazeera**

Amazon’s cloud division says that its data centers in Bahrain and the UAE were experiencing power and connectivity problems, amid Iran’s retaliatory strikes, Al Jazeera reports. Read more

** 11:22am Doha Time**

** Smoke rises at oil facility in Saudi Arabia: Al Jazeera**

Reports from Al Jazeera says there were large plumes of smoke at an oil facility in Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia.

** 11:02 Doha Time**

** Several US military aircraft crashes, all members safe: Kuwait MoD**

The Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced on Monday that several United States military aircraft crashed earlier in the day, confirming that all crew members survived the incident. Read more

** 10:42am Doha Time**

** Hamad International Airport announces flights operations remain suspended**

Hamad International Airport, HIA, has issued a recent update stating that flight operations remain suspended and will resume once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority announces the safe reopening of Qatari airspace.

This was announced in a post by HIA on X this morning, March 2, 2026. Read more

** 9:55am Doha Time**

** Explosions rock Iraq’s Erbil: Al Jazeera**

Al Jazeera Arabic reports that“strong explosions” are being recorded in Erbil, Iraq.

They say Iraqi air defences are also confronting missiles and drones that tried to target the Erbil International Airport.

** 9:02am Doha Time**

** Qatar Airways temporarily suspends flight for another day**

Qatar Airways flight operations will remain temporarily suspended for another day due to the closure of country’s airspace.

The national carrier announced this on its social media stating that another update will be provided on March 3 at 9am Doha Time. Read more

** 8:54am Doha Time**

** Kuwait intercepts drones approaching via sea, no casualties reported**

The Kuwaiti Interior Ministry confirmed Monday that most of the drones approaching the country by sea near the areas of Rumaithiya and Salwa were intercepted, with no injuries recorded. Read more here

** 8:41am Doha Time**

** Filming, sharing incident footage could result in legal accountability: MOI**

After repeated alerts against gathering at incident sites, the Ministry of Interior has now issued two warnings against filming and sharing videos related to ongoing field developments.

It stressed that circulation or publication of rumours constitute a violation leading to legal accountability. Read mor

** 8:27am Doha Time**

** New National Emergency Alert orders stay at home in Qatar**

Qatar sent out National Emergency Alert to all phone calling on public to stay indoors. It activated the national warning mechanism, where it stated,“All individuals are urged to strictly remain in their homes or in a safe location and not to leave except in cases of absolute necessity, until the danger has passed.” Read more

** 8am Doha Time**

** Iranian attacks on GCC states serious violation of sovereignty: GCC Ministers**

The Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) expressed its strongest condemnation of the heinous Iranian attacks on GCC states, as well as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, describing them as a serious violation of the sovereignty of these states, the principles of good neighborliness, and a clear breach of international law and the United Nations Charter, regardless of any justifications.

The Council also emphasized that targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law. Read more

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