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EU Calls for Immediate Humanitarian Truce in Gaza

A handout photo made available by the Saudi Foreign Ministry press office, shows Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (R) receiving EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell at AlUla, Saudi Arabia, 08 January 2024. (EPA/ Saudi Foreign Ministry handout)
A handout photo made available by the Saudi Foreign Ministry press office, shows Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (R) receiving EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell at AlUla, Saudi Arabia, 08 January 2024. (EPA/ Saudi Foreign Ministry handout)
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EU Calls for Immediate Humanitarian Truce in Gaza

A handout photo made available by the Saudi Foreign Ministry press office, shows Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (R) receiving EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell at AlUla, Saudi Arabia, 08 January 2024. (EPA/ Saudi Foreign Ministry handout)
A handout photo made available by the Saudi Foreign Ministry press office, shows Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (R) receiving EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell at AlUla, Saudi Arabia, 08 January 2024. (EPA/ Saudi Foreign Ministry handout)

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell renewed on Monday the call for an "immediate humanitarian truce" in the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip that has been ongoing for more than three months.

During a visit to Saudi Arabia's AlUla, Borrell discussed with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan the war in Gaza and the "joint peace initiative."

This was Borrell’s fourth trip to the region since Oct. 7 when the war in Gaza erupted.

He confirmed, in statements to reporters before leaving AlUla, that Europe will not participate in protecting commercial ships navigating the Red Sea as part of Operation Atalanta.

The military operation is being carried out by the EU Naval Force to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia.

Replying to a question by Asharq Al-Awsat, Borrell said the Europeans have no intention of taking part in protecting commercial vessels in the Red Sea amid the attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen on international shipping.

The operation is aimed at combating piracy, he stated.

Borrell stressed that his discussions in Saudi Arabia focused on the efforts to achieve an immediate truce in the Gaza Strip and deal with the significant humanitarian crisis.

In a post in the "X" platform, he added that he discussed with the Saudi FM the joint peace initiative and steps to translate the international consensus on the two-state solution into action.

He declared: "The path will be difficult, but there is no alternative to peace."

He also extended an invitation to Prince Faisal to visit Brussels on Jan. 22.

Borrell had previously urged the need to stop the unfolding human tragedy in Gaza.

"We need an immediate humanitarian pause, leading to a more sustainable one and for hostages to be released," he posted on X.

The EU official also met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his visit to Saudi Arabia.

They compared notes about their talks in the region and efforts to de-escalate, alleviate the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, and bolster the indispensable UN role.

According to Reuters, a US official revealed that Blinken and Borrell discussed efforts to prevent the expansion of the Gaza conflict.

Back in September, the Saudi Foreign Ministry announced that the Kingdom, in cooperation with the Arab League, the EU, Egypt, and Jordan, had launched efforts to revitalize the Palestinian-Israeli peace process.

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Gulf

Saudi Arabia to Host Multinational ‘Spears of Victory 2026’ Military Exercise

The exercise will run from January 18 to February 5. SPA
The exercise will run from January 18 to February 5. SPA
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Saudi Arabia to Host Multinational ‘Spears of Victory 2026’ Military Exercise

The exercise will run from January 18 to February 5. SPA
The exercise will run from January 18 to February 5. SPA

The Spears of Victory 2026 military exercise, led by the Royal Saudi Air Force, is set to begin on Sunday at the Air Warfare Center in the Eastern Region.

The exercise will run from January 18 to February 5, featuring broad regional and international participation and highlighting ongoing efforts to strengthen military cooperation and joint operational integration.

The exercise will integrate branches of Saudi Arabia’s armed forces, the Ministry of National Guard, the Presidency of State Security, and the Unified Military Command of the Gulf Cooperation Council, alongside military forces from several countries.

The exercise aims to enhance combat readiness, foster the exchange of expertise in planning and execution, and unify the concept of joint military action among participating forces. It will focus on addressing current and emerging threats, advancing tactical capabilities, and promoting joint operational strategies.

Participating forces will execute joint and combined tactical operations designed to simulate current and emerging threats and to unify the concept of multi-domain joint air operations in an advanced electronic warfare environment.

The Air Warfare Center is one of the region’s most advanced training facilities, providing a sophisticated environment that simulates real operational conditions and supports the development and evaluation of combat capabilities.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia: King Salman Undergoes Medical Tests

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA
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Saudi Arabia: King Salman Undergoes Medical Tests

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud is undergoing medical tests on Friday at King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, the Kingdom's Royal Court said.

“May Allah protect the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and grant him continued health and well-being,” the Court added.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia Provides New $90 Million Support to Yemen’s Government Budget

Mohammed Al Jaber, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Yemen (Photo : X) 
Mohammed Al Jaber, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Yemen (Photo : X) 
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Saudi Arabia Provides New $90 Million Support to Yemen’s Government Budget

Mohammed Al Jaber, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Yemen (Photo : X) 
Mohammed Al Jaber, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Yemen (Photo : X) 

Mohammed Al Jaber, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Yemen, announced on Thursday that the Kingdom has provided new financial support to Yemen’s government budget to cover the payment of salaries for state employees, pursuant to directives from the Saudi leadership.

In a post on the social media platform X, Al Jaber said the support comes in addition to the development projects and initiatives announced on Wednesday in several sectors.

These include the provision of petroleum products to operate power plants, aimed at improving the living conditions of the Yemeni people, as well as support for the government’s efforts to implement an economic reform program to achieve financial and economic stability.

The Saudi ambassador also stated that salaries for all military and security forces affiliated with the Supreme Military Committee will be paid by the Saudi-led Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen, starting on Sunday.

Al Jaber noted that these measures are expected to have a significant impact on society and on Yemen’s economy, which he said will receive substantial support from the Kingdom in the coming period.

Meanwhile, Yemeni Prime Minister Salem bin Breik said on Thursday that the new and urgent financial support from Saudi Arabia, totaling $90 million, reflects the Kingdom’s sincere fraternal stance and its continued commitment to supporting the Yemeni people, easing their humanitarian and living hardships, strengthening economic and financial stability, and ensuring the regular payment of salaries, which the government considers its highest priority.

In a statement to the Yemeni News Agency (Saba), bin Breik affirmed that the government, in full coordination with the Central Bank of Yemen, will immediately begin taking the necessary steps to ensure the swift disbursement of salaries to eligible public sector employees through transparent and responsible mechanisms that enhance confidence in financial and monetary institutions.

The prime minister praised Saudi Arabia’s leading role, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in supporting constitutional legitimacy and backing government efforts at the political, economic, and humanitarian levels. He said the support reflects the depth of fraternal relations and the shared destiny between the two countries.

Bin Breik added that the government continues to implement its economic and financial reform program, improve the efficiency of public resource management, and work with brotherly nations and international partners to improve economic conditions and restore monetary stability.