A Greek-operated Patriot battery intercepted two ballistic missiles over Saudi refineries at Yanbu

According to Reuters, citing Greek security sources, a Patriot air defence battery operated by Greek military personnel in Saudi Arabia intercepted two ballistic missiles launched from Yemen on Saturday, 25 July 2026 (3 Mordad 1405), which had targeted refineries in the Yanbu region. "The attack was launched with two ballistic missiles and targeted the refineries in Yanbu," one Greek security source told Reuters. A second source confirmed the interception. Saudi Arabia's Civil Defense had earlier issued an emergency alert for residents of Yanbu.

According to the Greek newspaper Kathimerini, Greek military sources said in a statement that the interception took place at 7:15 a.m. Greek time and was carried out by the Patriot Guided Missile Artillery of the Hellenic Force in Saudi Arabia (ELDYSA), which operates as part of the international "Integrated Air and Missile Defence" initiative supporting the kingdom's air defence. The statement said the attack had targeted "a major refinery facility in the Yanbu region," where the Greek artillery is deployed, and that the mission continues to operate as normal.

Kathimerini reported that this was the second time the Greek-operated system has intercepted an attack. Greece has deployed a US-made Patriot battery with Greek personnel in Saudi Arabia since 2021 under a cooperation memorandum to help protect the kingdom's energy infrastructure.