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Saudi-Africa Summit…Strategic Collaboration Across All Domains

The President of Mauritania arrives in Riyadh (SPA)
The President of Mauritania arrives in Riyadh (SPA)
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Saudi-Africa Summit…Strategic Collaboration Across All Domains

The President of Mauritania arrives in Riyadh (SPA)
The President of Mauritania arrives in Riyadh (SPA)

Riyadh is hosting a summit between Saudi Arabia and African nations, signaling the beginning of a strategic partnership covering political, economic, investment, security, and cultural domains.

The Saudi-Africa summit, which launches on Friday, aims to strengthen shared interests, foster development, and ensure stability.

Saudi Arabia enjoys significant trust and respect among African leaders, being considered a linchpin for both the Arab and Islamic worlds.

The Kingdom pursues a wise policy focused on economic and developmental interests, according to Khaled Manzlawiy, the assistant secretary-general for international political affairs at the Arab League.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Manzlawiy highlighted that the Kingdom’s hosting of a substantial number of African leaders in Riyadh signals the establishment of a strategic collaboration that serves the interests of both parties.

“As we know, Africa is a focal point for major powers such as the US, China, and Russia, in addition to emerging nations,” said Manzlawiy.

“Saudi Arabia's growing global role necessitates expanding relations with both the East and the West, including the African continent,” he added.

The trade volume between Saudi Arabia and African countries reached SAR 74.735 billion ($20 billion) in 2023.

Exports accounted for SAR 53.071 billion ($14 billion), while imports totaled SAR 21.664 billion ($5.8 billion).

This underscores the increasing economic ties between Saudi Arabia and African nations, reflecting the mutual benefits derived from their collaboration.

In a demonstration of Saudi leadership, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has actively supported international and regional efforts aimed at establishing security, stability, and resolving conflicts in the African continent.

This commitment resulted in the historic Jeddah Agreement for Peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Moreover, negotiations between conflicting parties in Sudan resumed in Jeddah, aiming to reach a political agreement that ensures security, stability, and prosperity for Sudan and its people.

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Gulf

GACA: Operations at Riyadh Airport Temporarily Suspended after Attack

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. SPA
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. SPA
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GACA: Operations at Riyadh Airport Temporarily Suspended after Attack

King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. SPA
King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. SPA

Operations at the Riyadh airport were temporarily suspended after it was targeted in an attack on Saturday, the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) said, reporting several people injured in the incident.

King Khalid International Airport "was targeted in an attack on Saturday afternoon, October 10, 2026, amid continued blatant attacks targeting the Kingdom's civil aviation facilities,” the statement said. "The attack left several people injured, with the number still being assessed."

“Operations at the airport have been temporarily suspended pending a full damage assessment and verification of the safety of its facilities, in coordination with the relevant authorities,” it added.

Gulf

Flydubai Co-Pilot Planned Suicide Attack on Tel Aviv Airport, Says UAE Prosecutor

Planes sit on the tarmac at Ben Gurion International Airport after a Flydubai aircraft bound for Israel from the United Arab Emirates was diverted to Saudi Arabia following an emergency signal, in Lod, near Tel Aviv, Israel, September 30, 2026. (Reuters)
Planes sit on the tarmac at Ben Gurion International Airport after a Flydubai aircraft bound for Israel from the United Arab Emirates was diverted to Saudi Arabia following an emergency signal, in Lod, near Tel Aviv, Israel, September 30, 2026. (Reuters)
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Flydubai Co-Pilot Planned Suicide Attack on Tel Aviv Airport, Says UAE Prosecutor

Planes sit on the tarmac at Ben Gurion International Airport after a Flydubai aircraft bound for Israel from the United Arab Emirates was diverted to Saudi Arabia following an emergency signal, in Lod, near Tel Aviv, Israel, September 30, 2026. (Reuters)
Planes sit on the tarmac at Ben Gurion International Airport after a Flydubai aircraft bound for Israel from the United Arab Emirates was diverted to Saudi Arabia following an emergency signal, in Lod, near Tel Aviv, Israel, September 30, 2026. (Reuters)

The co-pilot who attacked the captain of a flydubai jet last week had planned to crash the plane into Tel Aviv's international airport, the United Arab Emirates' top prosecutor said on Friday.

In the aftermath of the incident, people on board -- the majority of whom were Israeli -- described a sudden plunge in altitude and a fight for control of the aircraft, which was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The passengers were repatriated on a second flydubai flight hours later.

The unnamed Omani co-pilot, now in custody in the UAE, had drawn inspiration from Al-Qaeda's September 11, 2001, suicide attacks on the United States, and carried out his attempt "with the aim of causing the greatest possible loss of life", according to the Emirati prosecutor's findings published by state media.

The prosecutor found that the co-pilot had first begun to be radicalized while studying in Australia "through reading extremist literature and following online content glorifying terrorist organizations and suicide attacks".

He said last week's flight had been the co-pilot's third to Tel Aviv, and that he had used the two earlier trips to plan the attack.

During the flight, the suspect used an emergency axe to attack the plane's Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, who fought back and tried to call for help.

Another pilot assigned to the return flight, who was also on board, "noticed the cockpit door opening and closing repeatedly in an unusual manner", according to the findings.

After gaining entry, he "intervened with the assistance of a cabin crew member and several passengers, and together they rescued the injured captain and restrained the suspect".

The return flight captain and his co-pilot then landed the plane at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.

- No sign of intentions -

Israel and the UAE normalized ties under the US-brokered Abraham Accords in 2020, and Israel carries out stringent security checks on those travelling to the country.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously said that the co-pilot -- identified in reports as Hamam al-Hammami -- must have gotten around restrictions preventing individuals from nations that do not recognize Israel operating flights to the country.

The UAE prosecutor's "findings showed that he had met the professional and security requirements for employment, including holding a pilot's license, providing a certificate of good conduct and completing the required checks".

"However, none of the procedures revealed any indications of his extremist views or his intention to carry out a terrorist plot."

After the incident, Netanyahu had hailed the passengers and the plane's captain for their bravery in averting what would have otherwise been a catastrophe.

He later ordered a "thorough review of all security aspects of foreign civil aviation to Israel" in response to the incident.

Gulf

Coalition: 3 Houthi Missile Launchers Destroyed

Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Coalition: 3 Houthi Missile Launchers Destroyed

Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki stated on Friday that three missile launchers used by Yemen’s Houthi militia to threaten regional security have been destroyed.

He added that Houthi attacks on civilians and civilian objects will be met with a firm response.