Two foreign nationals were killed when a drone struck the al-Awahi Industrial Area in Sohar, Oman, while a second drone fell nearby with no injuries. Saudi air defences intercepted multiple drones, including one aimed at Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, and the UAE reported debris fell on a Dubai building facade after an interception. Oman reported no disruption to oil supplies despite an earlier strike on Salalah port, and authorities in the region continue to investigate amid a broader cycle of retaliatory strikes following Feb. 28 US–Israeli attacks on Iran.
Two Killed in Oman After Drone Strike; Multiple Drones Intercepted Over Saudi Arabia and UAE
A plume of smoke rises from oil storage facilities at the Port of Salalah in Raysut, Oman in this screengrab from video obtained from social media and released on March 11, 2026 [Social Media/Handout via Reuters]
Oman’s state news agency reported that two foreign nationals were killed when a drone struck the al-Awahi Industrial Area in Sohar province, and a second drone fell in an open area with no injuries. Authorities said they are investigating both incidents.
Details of the Incidents
Quoting a security source, the agency said one drone hit the industrial area on Friday morning, killing two foreign workers and wounding others. A second drone crashed in a nearby open area without causing casualties. On Wednesday, Oman’s state media also reported that drones had struck fuel tanks at Salalah port; Iran denied involvement in that earlier attack.
Oman’s energy ministry said there had been no disruption to the continuity of crude oil supplies or petroleum derivatives despite the reported strikes.
Private maritime security firm Vanguard Tech reported that port operations were suspended after damage to the southern section of Salalah port.
Regional Interceptions
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence said its forces intercepted a drone that was heading toward Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter, which houses foreign embassies. The ministry posted on X that the "hostile drone" was downed while attempting to approach the Diplomatic Quarter. Three additional drones were intercepted elsewhere in the kingdom at about the same time, and spokespeople later said air defences shot down several more across central and eastern regions, including al-Kharj and areas west of Riyadh. Earlier official statements reported that 14 drones were intercepted and destroyed in successive waves.
In Dubai, debris from an intercepted strike fell on the facade of a city-centre building on Friday morning, the Dubai Media Office said, adding that there were no injuries after the UAE’s air defences engaged the threat.
Wider Context
The incidents come amid a broader regional escalation after coordinated strikes by Israel and the United States on Iran on February 28. Iranian authorities say those strikes killed about 1,300 people and injured more than 10,000. Since then, Tehran has reported retaliatory drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq and Gulf states that host U.S. military assets.
Neighbouring Lebanon has also experienced heavy losses amid intense Israeli bombardment, with nearly 700 people reported killed.
What Comes Next
Omani authorities continue to investigate the crashes. Gulf states and maritime firms are monitoring security at ports and shipping lanes after the reported damage at Salalah and the series of intercepted drone attacks across the region.
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