Reuters: Greek-operated air defense system shoots down drones in Saudi Arabia

Reuters quoted Greek sources as saying that an air defense system operated by Greek military personnel in Saudi Arabia intercepted a swarm of drones in the wider Yanbu region, which includes major oil refining facilities.

This is the third time the Greek-operated system has been used in combat operations since the outbreak of the US-Israeli war on Iran, highlighting the expanding military role of European allies in defending energy infrastructure in the Gulf.

One source said, "The battery dealt with the drones in coordination with the Saudi air defense systems," adding that the Greek Patriot system launched three missiles, without specifying the number of drones shot down or their origin.

Greece has deployed a US-made Patriot air defense battery, operated by Greek personnel, in Saudi Arabia since 2021 under an agreement aimed at helping protect the kingdom's energy facilities.

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US Ambassador: The Lebanese agree on Hezbollah's disarmament, and we want to bring Beirut closer to Tel Aviv

US Ambassador to Lebanon, Michael Issa, said that the Lebanese agree on the need for Hezbollah to hand over its weapons to the Lebanese state, stressing that everyone wants this but in different ways.

During his meeting with Sheikh Aql of the Druze community, Sami Abi Al-Muna, Issa stressed that Hezbollah does not want to talk to the Lebanese state, nor to America, nor to Israel, and only receives its orders from Iran, expressing his hope that it will hand over its weapons, “and we don’t want anything more from it.”

Issa explained that communication between President Joseph Aoun and Hezbollah is still ongoing, noting that the Iranian-American issue is indirectly linked to the Lebanese issue.

He stressed that talks with Israel are ongoing with Lebanon, whether Hezbollah is present or not, and that Washington is seeking to bring the Lebanese state closer to Israel.

The US ambassador stressed that Washington constantly tells Israel that its strikes on Lebanon are "uncontrolled," but it continues to demand that Hezbollah surrender its weapons, asking: "On what basis can we force Israel to back down if the party does not surrender its weapons?"