A military projectile struck a residential area in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday, killing two foreign nationals and injuring 12 others, according to Saudi authorities. The Saudi civil defense stated on X that the victims were an Indian and a Bangladeshi citizen, both identified as foreign workers. The projectile landed on a site belonging to a maintenance and cleaning company, highlighting the risks to civilian infrastructure in the ongoing conflict.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for the attack, stating it targeted radar systems in Al-Kharj governorate, which hosts the Prince Sultan airbase used by United States forces. This base has reportedly faced repeated attacks over the past week amid heightened tensions between Iran and the US-Israel alliance. The IRGC's actions are framed as retaliatory measures in response to alleged aggression from Western-aligned forces.
Reporting from Doha, Al Jazeera's Laura Khan emphasized the volatile and dangerous situation unfolding across Gulf nations. She noted that over 200 nationalities live and work in the region, with many being migrant laborers who are particularly vulnerable to such incidents. This attack underscores the broader humanitarian risks as military operations increasingly impact civilian areas, raising concerns about regional stability.
In a related development, the Saudi Defense Ministry reported intercepting 15 drones, including an attempted attack in the diplomatic quarter of Riyadh. Meanwhile, Kuwait said an attack hit fuel tanks at its international airport, and Bahrain reported damage to a water desalination plant. These incidents suggest a coordinated escalation of hostilities, with multiple Gulf states—hosts to US military assets—coming under fire.
The attacks followed Israeli airstrikes on five oil facilities around Tehran, which an Iranian state oil executive said killed several people and blanketed the city in smoke. An IRGC spokesperson warned that Iran would retaliate if US-Israel attacks on its energy infrastructure continue, stating, "If you can tolerate oil at more than $200 per barrel, continue this game." The IRGC also claimed it has sufficient supplies to sustain drone and missile attacks across the Middle East for up to six months.
Ahmed Aboul Gheit, secretary-general of the Arab League, criticized Iran's attacks on member states as "reckless," urging Tehran to reverse what he called a "massive strategic mistake." The Iranian Health Ministry reported that at least 1,200 civilians have been killed and around 10,000 wounded since the US and Israel allegedly launched their war on Iran on February 28. These figures highlight the severe human cost of the conflict, with no immediate resolution in sight as regional tensions continue to mount.
Source: www.aljazeera.com