High-Level Joint Steering Committee Discusses Saudi-UK Defense Strategic Ties

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
TT

High-Level Joint Steering Committee Discusses Saudi-UK Defense Strategic Ties

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

The high-level Joint Steering Committee held its meeting in London, chaired by Saudi Assistant Minister of Defense Eng. Talal Al-Otaibi and Director-General of Industry, Trade, and Economic Security of the British Defense Ministry Avril Jolliffe.

The officials reviewed the historical and strategic defense relations between Saudi Arabia and the UK. They also discussed various aspects of strategic cooperation in defense research and development, technology transfer, and localization, in line with the Saudi Vision 2030.

Al-Otaibi met with the Minister of State for Defense Procurement and Member of Parliament for South Suffolk, James Cartlidge, at the UK Defense Ministry. They explored opportunities to enhance and develop cooperation in defense and military domains.

Al-Otaibi discussed with Deputy Chief of the Defense Staff Lieutenant General Rob Magowan the collaboration in defense research and development, technology transfer, and localization in line with the Saudi Vision 2030. They also addressed several topics of mutual interest.



MWL Condemns Israeli Forces' Burning of Hospital in Gaza

People carry the dead body of a Palestinian at Kamal Adwan Hospital, during the ongoing Israeli military operation, amid Israel-Hamas conflict, in Beit Lahiya, in the northern Gaza Strip, December 17, 2024. (Reuters)
People carry the dead body of a Palestinian at Kamal Adwan Hospital, during the ongoing Israeli military operation, amid Israel-Hamas conflict, in Beit Lahiya, in the northern Gaza Strip, December 17, 2024. (Reuters)
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MWL Condemns Israeli Forces' Burning of Hospital in Gaza

People carry the dead body of a Palestinian at Kamal Adwan Hospital, during the ongoing Israeli military operation, amid Israel-Hamas conflict, in Beit Lahiya, in the northern Gaza Strip, December 17, 2024. (Reuters)
People carry the dead body of a Palestinian at Kamal Adwan Hospital, during the ongoing Israeli military operation, amid Israel-Hamas conflict, in Beit Lahiya, in the northern Gaza Strip, December 17, 2024. (Reuters)

The Muslim World League (MWL) strongly condemned on Saturday Israeli forces for burning a hospital in the Gaza Strip and forcing the evacuation of patients and medical staff.

In a statement, MWL Secretary General and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa slammed the “horrific crimes that the Israeli forces continue to commit against civilians and civilian facilities in the Gaza Strip without deterrence, in flagrant violation of all international and humanitarian laws and norms.”

Israeli soldiers stormed and burned a hospital in isolated northern Gaza after forcibly removing staff and patients on Friday, Health Ministry officials said. The Israeli military said the hospital was being used by Hamas fighters as a base, although it did not provide evidence.

Gaza's Health Ministry said Israeli troops set fires in several parts of Kamal Adwan Hospital, including the lab and surgery department. Israel's military said there was only a small fire in an empty hospital building, and was unaware of any Israeli gunfire causing the blaze.