RIYADH, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia's Defense Ministry said on Monday that its air defenses had intercepted a number of drones launched from Iraqi territory, which attempted to target oil facilities in the kingdom.

The ministry's spokesman Turki Al-Malki said in a statement on social media that Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed several drones over the past hours as they attempted to target oil facilities in the Eastern Province and Riyadh.

Al-Malki said the attempts were launched from Iraqi territory and carried out by what he described as Iranian-backed militias.

He affirmed Saudi Arabia's right to defend itself and its resources, adding that the kingdom reserves the right to respond.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry expressed condemnation of the drone attack.

No group in Iraq has so far claimed responsibility for the incident. ■