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Saudi Interior Minister, Madinah Governor Congratulate Saudi Leadership on Successful Hajj Season

Prayers being performed around the Holy Kaaba in the Grand Mosque of Makkah, Saudi Arabia (AFP)
Prayers being performed around the Holy Kaaba in the Grand Mosque of Makkah, Saudi Arabia (AFP)
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Saudi Interior Minister, Madinah Governor Congratulate Saudi Leadership on Successful Hajj Season

Prayers being performed around the Holy Kaaba in the Grand Mosque of Makkah, Saudi Arabia (AFP)
Prayers being performed around the Holy Kaaba in the Grand Mosque of Makkah, Saudi Arabia (AFP)

Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Hajj Supreme Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif congratulated the Saudi leadership on the successful completion of this year's Hajj season without any issues that could have disrupted or compromised the security and safety of the pilgrims.

The Minister sent cables to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, extending his congratulations on the occasion of the Eid al-Adha and the end of a successful Hajj season.

He attributed the success of this year's Hajj season to the grace of God, followed by the Saudi leadership's direct supervision and wise guidance after the directive to return the number of pilgrims to the pre-COVID-19 status.

PrinceAbdulaziz explained that all the parties participating in the Hajj mission were able to implement all security, preventive, organizational, health, and preventative measures to accommodate the 1,845,045 pilgrims and provide services to them with the highest quality standards, which enabled them to perform their rituals with ease.

The Minister commended the integrated work among all military and security sectors in cooperation with public and private employees that contributed significantly to the success of the Hajj security plan this year, saying they performed their assigned tasks with the utmost professionalism.

The Hajj season did not witness anything that affected the safety and security of the pilgrims, and no epidemiological or quarantine cases were recorded, said the Minister.

Furthermore, Madinah Governor Prince Faisal bin Salman congratulated the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince on the occasion of the success of the Hajj season.

Prince Faisal said the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince to harness all capabilities and provide the latest technologies ensured a successful Hajj season, enabling pilgrims to perform their rituals in security and tranquility through an integrated system of services.

 

 

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Gulf

Oil Spill off Oman Reportedly Reaches Mainland, Says UN Agency

A satellite image shows an oil spill off the coast of Oman, August 11, 2026. (European Union/Copernicus Sentinel-3/Handout via Reuters)
A satellite image shows an oil spill off the coast of Oman, August 11, 2026. (European Union/Copernicus Sentinel-3/Handout via Reuters)
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Oil Spill off Oman Reportedly Reaches Mainland, Says UN Agency

A satellite image shows an oil spill off the coast of Oman, August 11, 2026. (European Union/Copernicus Sentinel-3/Handout via Reuters)
A satellite image shows an oil spill off the coast of Oman, August 11, 2026. (European Union/Copernicus Sentinel-3/Handout via Reuters)

An oil spill from a tanker that ran aground off Oman's coast has reportedly begun reaching the mainland, as monsoon winds obstructs containment efforts, the United Nations' maritime agency said Wednesday.

An AFP investigation had earlier found that the ship had been stranded for weeks near Oman's al-Qibliyyah island after it was rocked by explosions.

"The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is closely monitoring the oil leakage from the crude oil tanker CAROLINE BEZENGI, which grounded off the coast of Oman on 30 June 2026 and is currently around 22 nautical miles offshore of Sharbithat, Oman," a spokesperson for the agency said.

"Oil is drifting offshore to the northeast of Al-Qibliyyah Island with some oil reported to be reaching the mainland," the spokesperson said, adding that "the seasonal monsoon has limited access to the vessel and delayed salvage operations".

The Oman News Agency (ONA) meanwhile quoted authorities as saying that "today's monitoring results showed that some beaches in the Ras Madrakah area were affected by oil pollution", on the sultanate's southeastern coast.

Oman on Monday said it was working to contain the spill, which had affected roughly 390 square kilometers (150 square miles), according to the most recent analysis from the country's environment agency.

The slick was concentrated around Oman's Hallaniyat archipelago off the country's southern coast, where a marine reserve was established last year to protect sensitive ecosystems home to diverse marine life, including rare sea turtles.

Omani authorities have not yet identified the cause of the spill. But British maritime security company Vanguard told AFP last week that the tanker was rocked by explosions in early June as it sailed off the coast of Yemen, causing water to enter several sections of the vessel.

Advocacy groups Greenpeace and PAX told AFP that the spill was on the verge of causing an "environmental disaster", saying the tanker was carrying around one million barrels of crude.

The ship is believed to be part of Russia's "shadow fleet", which Moscow uses to circumvent Western sanctions on its oil exports.

The fleet includes ageing vessels that have faced criticism over maintenance, insurance and safety standards.

Tankers have been frequently targeted in the Gulf region over recent months as the US exchanged fire with Iran and its allied proxies.

Gulf

Saudi Foreign Minister Discusses Regional Developments with Egyptian Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Moscow on July 4, 2025. (Reuters)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Moscow on July 4, 2025. (Reuters)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Discusses Regional Developments with Egyptian Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Moscow on July 4, 2025. (Reuters)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Moscow on July 4, 2025. (Reuters)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call from Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates of the Arab Republic of Egypt Dr. Badr Abdelatty, SPA reported.

During the call, they discussed the latest developments in the region and efforts to enhance its security and stability.

Gulf

Kuwait Foils Terrorist Plot Targeting Vital Facility

Kuwait City (KUNA)
Kuwait City (KUNA)
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Kuwait Foils Terrorist Plot Targeting Vital Facility

Kuwait City (KUNA)
Kuwait City (KUNA)

Kuwait's Ministry of Interior announced Wednesday that it had foiled a terrorist plot targeting a vital facility in the country and arrested a Kuwaiti national affiliated with the terrorist organization ISIS before he could carry out the plot, following security monitoring and surveillance operations.

The ministry said in a statement that security investigations revealed that the suspect had received training in the manufacture of explosives and drones and had built a drone for use in carrying out his terrorist plot and targeting a vital facility in the country, SPA reported.

It said security authorities had taken the necessary legal measures against the suspect and referred him to the competent authorities to complete the investigation and take the measures prescribed by law.

The Ministry of Interior affirmed that its security agencies would continue to carry out proactive operations to monitor and counter any activities or plots that could threaten the country's security and stability. It stressed that it "will not tolerate anyone who seeks to undermine national security or the safety of citizens and residents."

The ministry stressed that security agencies would deal firmly with any suspicious activities within the framework of the law, reaffirming their continued efforts to thwart security threats before they develop into acts targeting the country's security and vital facilities.