Al-Kharj, a traditionally tranquil Saudi oasis near Prince Sultan Air Base, has been affected by strikes linked to tensions with Iran. Reports say at least a dozen US service members were wounded and an expensive surveillance aircraft and several refuelling tankers were reportedly hit. The town recorded its first civilian fatalities on March 8, and debris from drone interceptions has injured residents and damaged homes. Despite fear, many locals continue daily routines while closely monitoring developments.
Al-Kharj Adapts to Life Under Fire Near Prince Sultan Air Base
A Patriot missile battery pictured near the Prince Sultan Air Base at Al Kharj on February 20 (Andrew CABALLERO-REYNOLDS)(Andrew CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/POOL/AFP)
For generations Al-Kharj, a green oasis southeast of Riyadh, has been a favourite retreat for city residents seeking palm-lined streets and fresh dates. That tranquillity has been shaken in recent weeks as the town finds itself within range of strikes linked to tensions with Iran.
Al-Kharj lies close to the sprawling Prince Sultan Air Base. Last month US media reported that at least a dozen American service members were wounded when the base was struck in an assault attributed to Iran. Iranian officials later claimed they hit an advanced surveillance aircraft worth hundreds of millions of dollars, and several aerial refuelling tankers were also reported damaged.
Tehran has launched waves of strikes at Gulf neighbours, saying some countries are being used as staging grounds for US operations after the US and Israeli attack on Iran that began on February 28. In Al-Kharj, residents say they hear intercepts and explosions overhead but are trying to carry on with daily life.
'We hear the loud sounds of interceptions, but we rarely see anything in the sky,' said Abdullah, a man in his 60s who asked that only his first name be used because of security concerns.
The town witnessed Saudi Arabia's first civilian fatalities linked to the conflict when two migrant workers were killed on March 8 after a projectile hit a residential area. In a more recent incident, debris from a drone interception fell onto homes, injuring two people and damaging multiple houses, authorities said.
Residents describe a mixture of fear and resilience. 'I would be lying if I said I'm not afraid when I hear the explosions or when I learned about the deaths of the foreign workers,' said Batool, a 21-year-old student. Yet she added that she continues her studies and routine despite the threat.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards have accused Saudi Arabia of hosting advanced US fighter aircraft and related support facilities. US forces returned to Saudi Arabia in 2019 under an agreement with Riyadh, and reports at the time suggested hundreds of American personnel would be hosted at Prince Sultan Air Base. The base itself has a long history, having served as a command centre during the first Gulf War and briefly during the 2003 Iraq campaign.
On the surface, Al-Kharj still reflects its agricultural roots: green fields and orchards offer a stark contrast to the surrounding desert. In local restaurants and cafes, residents routinely check phones for updates and exchange messages warning of incoming attacks. AFP reporters observed no obvious heavy military build-up at the base on a recent visit, but alerts and uneasy anticipation remain a constant in the town's daily life.
Outlook: Al-Kharj's residents are coping by maintaining routines and watching for further developments, living with uncertainty while hoping for a de-escalation of regional hostilities.
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