Saudi Arabia Expresses Concern over Military Escalation in Yemen after Israeli Airstrikes

The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Expresses Concern over Military Escalation in Yemen after Israeli Airstrikes

The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The flag of Saudi Arabia (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia expressed its deep concern on Sunday over the latest military escalation in Yemen after the Israeli attacks in the Houthi-controlled Yemeni port of Hodeidah.
The statement stressed that these developments "exacerbate the current tension in the region”.
In a statement on X platform, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “The Ministry is following with great concern the military escalation in Yemen following the Israeli attacks that targeted Hodeidah province on Saturday, July 20, 2024,” emphasizing that “these developments aggravate the current tension in the region and undermine ongoing efforts to end the war in Gaza”.
The ministry also called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint and to distance the region and its people from the dangers of war. It also called on the international community and active influential parties to fulfill their responsibilities to end conflicts in the region.
Moreover, the ministry affirmed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's continued efforts to end the war on Gaza and affirmed its continuous support for peace efforts in Yemen to spare its people more suffering and achieve security and peace in the region.
On Sunday, Brigadier General Turki Al-Maliki, the spokesman for the Saudi Ministry of Defense, affirmed that Saudi Arabia has no relation to or participation in the targeting of the Yemeni city of Hodeidah. 
He emphasized in a statement posted on the ministry's X platform account that Saudi Arabia will not allow its airspace to be violated from any direction.
 



Mohammed bin Salman, Trump Sign Economic Strategic Partnership Agreement

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and US President Donald Trump meet at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and US President Donald Trump meet at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Mohammed bin Salman, Trump Sign Economic Strategic Partnership Agreement

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and US President Donald Trump meet at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and US President Donald Trump meet at the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and US President Donald Trump chaired in Riyadh on Tuesday the Saudi-American summit that reviewed several joint files.

The leaders then signed an economic strategic partnership agreement. They also oversaw the signing of several agreements between their countries in various fields. They include:

A memorandum of understanding for energy cooperation between the Saudi Ministry of Energy and US Department of Energy, exchanged by Saudi Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright.

A memorandum of intent for the modernization and development of the capabilities of the Saudi Armed Forces through future defense capabilities between the Saudi Ministry of Defense and US Department of Defense, exchanged by Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.

Speaking at the Saudi-US investment forum later, Crown Prince Mohammed said: “What we have signed today is part of larger ambition.”

“We hope to continue to build with you President Trump,” he added to the US leader who was among the guests. “We hope for $600 billion investments opportunities and hopefully raised to $1 trillion.”

Also announced were the following agreements:

A memorandum of cooperation in the field of mining and mineral resources between the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and US Department of Energy.

A letter of intent to complete work and enhance joint cooperation on ammunition, training, support services, maintenance, systems modernization, spare parts, and education for the Saudi Ministry of the National Guard's land and air systems.

A memorandum of understanding between the International Partnership Program of the Saudi Ministry of Interior and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the US Department of Justice.

A letter of intent between the Saudi Ministry of Defense and US Department of Defense regarding the development of the health capabilities of the Saudi Armed Forces.

A memorandum of understanding for judicial cooperation between the Saudi Ministry of Justice and the US Department of Justice.

An executive agreement between the Saudi Space Agency and NASA for cooperation on the Space Weather CubeSat on the Artemis II Mission.

A Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement.

A Protocol of Amendment to the Saudi Arabia-US Air Transport Agreement.

A memorandum of understanding for cooperation between the Saudi National Institute of Health Research and US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in the field of medical research on infectious diseases.

A collaboration agreement between the Royal Commission for AlUla and the Smithsonian Institute through its National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.

A ‏collaboration agreement between the Royal Commission for AlUla and the Smithsonian Institute through its National Museum of Asian Art.

Prior to the meeting, Crown Prince Mohammed had welcomed Trump at the Royal Court in the Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh.

An official reception ceremony was held, featuring an Arabian horse escort for the presidential motorcade, a trumpet fanfare, as well as the rendition of the American and Saudi national anthems.

Following the ceremony, the Crown Prince escorted the president to the main reception hall, where both leaders enjoyed traditional Saudi coffee and exchanged greetings with members of each other’s delegations.

The Crown Prince then hosted an official luncheon in honor of Trump.

Trump had arrived in the Kingdom earlier on Tuesday on his first overseas trip since his reelection. He will later visit the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.