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King Abdulaziz’s Maiden Flight Aboard ‘Dakota’ Aircraft

King Abdulaziz descending from the Dakota aircraft in one of his air travels (Saqer Al Jazeera Museum)
King Abdulaziz descending from the Dakota aircraft in one of his air travels (Saqer Al Jazeera Museum)
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King Abdulaziz’s Maiden Flight Aboard ‘Dakota’ Aircraft

King Abdulaziz descending from the Dakota aircraft in one of his air travels (Saqer Al Jazeera Museum)
King Abdulaziz descending from the Dakota aircraft in one of his air travels (Saqer Al Jazeera Museum)

After the late King Abdulaziz bin Abdul Rahman Al Saud dismounted from his steed “Ubayyah,” declaring the unification of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia and charting its geographic boundaries to the world, he ascended the heights of the skies aboard his “Dakota DC-3” aircraft.

Through this remarkable journey, he aimed to connect the kingdom with the world and draw the political map of the state.

The tale of the “Dakota DC-3” begins with a decision by then US President Franklin Roosevelt to give King Abdulaziz a present.

He sought advice from White House advisors on what kind of gift to offer to a “Saudi king residing in a desert region.” One of his advisors suggested that the best gift for this king would be an airplane.

The Director-General of Communication and Media Affairs at Saudi Arabia’s flag carrier, Saudia, Engineer Abdullah Al-Shahrani, explained to Asharq Al-Awsat that this idea was initially rejected due to its substantial budget.

Nevertheless, on February 14, 1945, the Dakota aircraft, gifted by President Roosevelt to King Abdulaziz, touched down at the makeshift airstrip in what is now known as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs area in the city of Jeddah.

It was received by Prince Mansour bin Abdulaziz on behalf of King Abdulaziz.

On September 30, 1945, King Abdulaziz boarded the gifted Dakota aircraft for the first time.

Departing from the city of Afif near Riyadh, he headed towards Al-Hawiya in the city of Taif.

This flight was led by American pilot Captain Joey Grand, accompanied by his Saudi counterpart, Captain Hamza Tarabzoni. One of the most notable features of this aircraft was its ability to land on any prepared terrestrial area.

According to Al-Shahrani, this feature facilitated the aviation sector in seamlessly connecting the various regions and administrative areas of the kingdom.

He emphasized that this aircraft made a significant impact in the aviation world, particularly within the kingdom, laying the foundation for the concept of civil aviation in Saudi Arabia.

During that flight, King Abdulaziz became convinced that, after experiencing the speed of travel, ease of connectivity, and the convenience of takeoff and landing, this was the appropriate means to link the various parts of his nation.

He then decided to purchase two additional aircrafts.

This journey marked the inception of civil aviation for connecting the Kingdom’s regions, realizing King Abdulaziz’s initial vision, which was the localization of migration.

The “Dakota DC-3” aircraft was first manufactured by Douglas Aircraft Company in 1935.

It is a twin-engine, low-wing monoplane produced by the Pratt & Whitney company, with a capacity for 28 passengers, roughly equivalent to 2725 kg.

The aircraft measures approximately 20 meters in length, with a wingspan of 30 meters, and it cruises at a speed of 370 kilometers per hour.

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Gulf

Iran Attacks on Gulf States Surpass 7,000

Smoke rises from a building in Kuwait following an Iranian attack. (AFP file)
Smoke rises from a building in Kuwait following an Iranian attack. (AFP file)
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Iran Attacks on Gulf States Surpass 7,000

Smoke rises from a building in Kuwait following an Iranian attack. (AFP file)
Smoke rises from a building in Kuwait following an Iranian attack. (AFP file)

Iranian attacks on Gulf states have reached new levels since the war began, with Kuwait emerging as one of the countries most heavily targeted in recent weeks.

The attacks have continued despite a ceasefire between Iran and the United States, mediated by Pakistan, that has been in place since last April.

According to a tally by Asharq Al-Awsat following the two latest attacks on Kuwait, on May 28 and again on Monday, and based on official data and statements issued by Gulf Cooperation Council states, Iranian attacks on Gulf countries from the start of the war in February through early June 2026 totaled about 7,028. They included around 1,716 missiles and 5,311 drones.

The figures show that drones accounted for the bulk of Iran’s attacks with more than 5,000 launched, compared with over 1,700 missiles. The pattern points to Tehran’s growing reliance in recent months on low-cost, high-volume attacks.

The attacks have persisted despite the truce. More than 215 Iranian attacks have been recorded since the ceasefire was announced on April 8, underscoring continued security tensions in the region. Gulf air defenses have intercepted and destroyed most of the attacks.

According to the tally, the United Arab Emirates recorded the highest number of attacks, with 2,846, followed by Saudi Arabia with 1,234. Kuwait was third with 1,194 attacks, reflecting the recent surge in strikes targeting the country.

Qatar was fourth with 737 attacks, followed by Bahrain with 700, while Oman recorded the fewest with 26.

The figures come after Kuwait was hit by fresh attacks in recent days, prompting several Gulf states to condemn the strikes and declare their solidarity with Kuwait.

The continued attacks have also raised warnings that they threaten regional stability and undermine efforts to consolidate the ceasefire.

Kuwait said on Monday that its air defenses had repelled missile and drone attacks targeting the country, activated emergency procedures, and sounded sirens in several areas.

The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry held Iran fully responsible and said Kuwait reserved the right to take all necessary measures to defend its security and sovereignty.

The Kuwait News Agency, KUNA, said Kuwaiti air defenses had intercepted hostile missiles and drones, as sirens sounded across the country. It did not immediately provide further details on the targets or the extent of any possible damage.

After the attacks, the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry issued a strongly worded statement condemning what it called “sinful and repeated Iranian attacks.”

It said the attacks represented “a dangerous escalation and a direct assault on the security and stability of the State of Kuwait,” as well as a direct threat to civilians and vital facilities.

The ministry said the attacks violated international law, the United Nations Charter, and UN Security Council resolutions, adding that their continuation undermined efforts to reduce tensions and contain the fallout from the escalating regional crisis.

Saudi Arabia also strongly condemned the repeated Iranian attacks on Kuwait. In a statement, it said, “the Kingdom stresses its categorical rejection of these attacks, which violate the sovereignty of Kuwait in a clear breach of international law and the United Nations Charter.”

It said the violations undermined international efforts to restore security and stability in the region. Saudi Arabia expressed solidarity with Kuwait’s government and people and renewed its full support for all measures Kuwait takes to preserve its sovereignty, security, and stability.

GCC Secretary-General Jassem Albudaiwi condemned the continued “hostile Iranian attacks” targeting Kuwait, describing them as a dangerous and irresponsible escalation, a blatant violation of Kuwait’s sovereignty and international laws and norms, and a direct threat to regional security and stability.

Albudaiwi said the continued attacks reflected an unacceptable Iranian approach that undermined efforts to preserve security and stability.

He called on the international community and the UN Security Council to assume their responsibilities and take a firm, deterrent stance against violations that threaten regional and international peace and security.

The GCC secretary-general stressed that Kuwait’s security was an integral part of the security of all GCC states.

The United Arab Emirates strongly condemned the Iranian “terrorist attacks” that targeted Kuwait with missiles and drones. In a statement, the UAE Foreign Ministry said the attacks were a flagrant violation of its sovereignty and a threat to its security and stability.

Abu Dhabi expressed its full solidarity with Kuwait and its support for all measures aimed at preserving Kuwait’s security and stability.

Gulf

Saudi, Qatari FMs Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi, Qatari FMs Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call from Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported Wednesday.

During the call, they reviewed the latest developments and current situation in the region, in light of the ongoing coordination and consultation between the two countries, SPA said.

Gulf

One Killed in ‘Criminal’ Iranian Attack on Kuwait, Airport Partially Resumes Flights

Planes are seen at Kuwait International Airport. (KUNA)
Planes are seen at Kuwait International Airport. (KUNA)
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One Killed in ‘Criminal’ Iranian Attack on Kuwait, Airport Partially Resumes Flights

Planes are seen at Kuwait International Airport. (KUNA)
Planes are seen at Kuwait International Airport. (KUNA)

One person was killed in an Iranian attack targeting civilian facilities in Kuwait, including the international airport and diplomatic missions, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday. 

The statement did not specify which diplomatic missions were damaged. 

Ministry of defense spokesman Brigadier General Saud Abdulaziz Al-Atwan described the attack as "criminal Iranian aggression which resulted in significant material damage to the building and injuries." 

The strike marks an escalation for the country, which had seen relative calm since a ‌ceasefire in ‌the Iran war was announced on ‌April ⁠8. Iran had ⁠launched a salvo of missiles and drones at Kuwait as well as at other Gulf states. 

The early morning attack on Kuwait International Airport injured several people and forced authorities to divert flights, the state news ⁠agency reported. The attack caused "severe damage" to ‌the airport's Terminal ‌1 building, it said, citing the General Civil Aviation ‌Authority. 

Kuwait Airways said it would reschedule its ‌Wednesday flights. Shortly afterwards, the civil aviation authority said the country's flagship carrier had resumed flights from Terminal 4, after evaluating damage and taking safety measures. 

Earlier, ‌the US military said two Iranian missiles fired at Kuwait fell short or ⁠broke ⁠apart mid-flight, while three missiles launched at Bahrain were intercepted by US and Bahraini forces. 

A further wave of Iranian drones targeting US forces in Kuwait failed to hit their intended targets, Central Command said in a post on X, adding that Iranian ballistic missiles fired toward regional neighbors did not strike their targets. 

In response, US forces carried out strikes on Qeshm Island and intercepted multiple Iranian ballistic missiles and drones.