A military projectile struck a residential site in Al-Kharj, south of Riyadh, killing two people and injuring twelve others, according to Saudi Civil Defense. The military projectile is believed to have been launched from Iran.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Civil Defense said emergency teams responded after the projectile fell on a residential site belonging to a company responsible for maintenance and sanitation services in the governorate.
The agency confirmed that the incident resulted in the deaths of two residents of Indian and Bangladeshi nationality, while twelve others of Bangladeshi nationality were injured. Authorities also reported material damage at the site.
Emergency services transported the injured to nearby hospitals while teams secured the area and assessed the damage.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed late Sunday that another American service member has died from injuries sustained during the initial wave of Iranian attacks across the Middle East.
In a statement, CENTCOM said the soldier had been seriously wounded during an attack on U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia on March 1 and later died from those injuries.
The death brings the total number of U.S. service members killed during the current conflict to seven.
Civil Defense Condemns Targeting of Civilian Areas
In its statement, Civil Defense stressed that attempts to target civilian locations represent a serious violation of international humanitarian law.
Officials added that the necessary procedures have been implemented in response to the incident. Al-Kharj lies about 80 kilometres southeast of Riyadh and is home to both residential neighborhoods and military facilities.
The strike comes as Saudi air defenses continue intercepting drones targeting the capital.
Saudi authorities reported earlier that defensive systems successfully intercepted drones heading toward Riyadh, part of a series of attempted attacks reported across the Kingdom in recent days.
These incidents follow earlier drone strikes targeting the US Embassy in Riyadh, which caused limited material damage but no casualties.
Part of a Widening Regional Conflict
The attacks come amid rapidly escalating tensions across the Middle East following US and Israeli strikes inside Iran on 28 February, which reportedly killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Iran subsequently launched retaliatory attacks targeting Israeli positions as well as US military assets in the Gulf region.
In recent days, drone incidents have also been reported near the US Consulate in Dubai, while multiple Gulf states have heightened security measures around diplomatic missions, energy infrastructure, and military installations.
Airspace restrictions and flight disruptions have also affected travel across the region.
The Al-Kharj incident represents one of the first confirmed cases of civilian deaths inside Saudi Arabia linked to the current escalation.
Authorities have continued to emphasize interception and defensive measures as they respond to incoming threats, while reaffirming the Kingdom’s commitment to protecting residents and critical infrastructure.
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