Saudi forces on Saturday shot down an unidentified toy drone that hovered over a Riyadh neighbourhood home to royal palaces, state media said, prompting a security alarm in the capital.
“At 1950 (1650 GMT) a security checkpoint in Khuzama neighbourhood of Riyadh spotted a recreational remote-controlled drone,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.
“Security personnel at the checkpoint dealt with it according to their orders and instructions in this regard,” SPA added, implying that the drone had been shot down.
The statement followed unconfirmed videos on social media that appeared to show heavy volleys of gunfire in that neighbourhood, triggering speculation of a possible coup attempt.
But the government ruled out any major security breach, adding that an investigation had been launched into the incident.
Government officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the whereabouts of the Saudi king and crown prince during the incident.
Security around the palaces appears to have tightened in recent months as powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman oversees landmark social and economic reforms to prepare for a post-oil era, despite the risk of riling religious hardliners.
Source: TRT World