Fighter Jet Crashes During Training in Southern Saudi Arabia, Crew Dies

The advanced F-15SA was introduced to the Royal Saudi Air Force at the beginning of 2017. (SPA) 
The advanced F-15SA was introduced to the Royal Saudi Air Force at the beginning of 2017. (SPA) 
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Fighter Jet Crashes During Training in Southern Saudi Arabia, Crew Dies

The advanced F-15SA was introduced to the Royal Saudi Air Force at the beginning of 2017. (SPA) 
The advanced F-15SA was introduced to the Royal Saudi Air Force at the beginning of 2017. (SPA) 

An F-15SA Royal Saudi Air Force fighter jet crashed during a training mission in Khamis Mushait on Wednesday at 14:28, said the Saudi Ministry of Defense.

“May God have mercy on them, [I ask] the God Almighty to accept them from the righteous martyrs and to inspire their families and relatives patience and solace,” said the official spokesman for the Ministry of Defense Brigadier General Turki al-Maliki.

An investigation committee has begun probing the causes of the accident.

The advanced F-15SA was introduced to the Royal Saudi Air Force at the beginning of 2017 and it has high capability to attack ground targets precisely in any weather conditions, defend itself against enemy aircraft, and help pilots fly in the dark.

The maximum speed of the “Strike Eagle” jet is 2,655 km per hour and its maximum altitude is 18,200 meters. Its combat range is 1,840 km.

It also has an airframe with a lifetime of more than double the old models.

The jet has two weapon pods which aren’t found in previous models, in order to fortify its weapon payload and capabilities that include highly-developed radars to enable it to perform all tasks.



Saudi Arabia Calls for ‘Reliable’ Path to the Establishment of Independent Palestinian State

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah addresses the second meeting of the G20 Foreign Ministers in New York. SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah addresses the second meeting of the G20 Foreign Ministers in New York. SPA
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Saudi Arabia Calls for ‘Reliable’ Path to the Establishment of Independent Palestinian State

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah addresses the second meeting of the G20 Foreign Ministers in New York. SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah addresses the second meeting of the G20 Foreign Ministers in New York. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah participated on Wednesday in the second meeting of the G20 Foreign Ministers, chaired by Brazil, urging them to enable the achievement of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the adoption of a “reliable” path to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

"The fact that our meeting is being held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly is an indication of the importance of the G20 and its leadership in ensuring the health of the global economy, enhancing multilateral cooperation, and finding innovative solutions to common challenges,” the Foreign Minister said in his speech.

He underscored the urgent need to adhere to successful models of collective action and the importance of seeking to develop and reform international institutions.

"The repercussions of wars and political conflicts undermine efforts to establish international peace and security and cast their shadows on all aspects of multilateral action, and when these institutions fail to carry out their fundamental duties towards these crises, this creates a gap in international action and a crisis of confidence that undermines their legitimacy. This is what we are witnessing today in the way some international institutions deal with the humanitarian catastrophe in Palestine."

The Minister stressed that prolonging the war and expanding its scope deepens the suffering of the Palestinian people, threatens international peace and security, and undermines the chances of achieving comprehensive peace in the region.

"The G20 countries must intensify their joint efforts to overcome the international failure to confront Israel's serious violations of international laws and norms and enable the achievement of a ceasefire and the adoption of a reliable and irreversible path to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state,” he added.

Regarding reforming the United Nations system, especially the Security Council, he stressed that there is an urgent need for radical reform to compensate for the defects in addressing crises, responding to the needs of people, and keeping pace with international transformations and development requirements.

"The Kingdom affirms that the goal of reforming the Security Council is to enhance its credibility and effective response, believing in the importance of this in confronting contemporary crises and challenges, thus contributing to creating a more just, secure and stable world."