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Saudi Arabia Participates in Int’l Ministerial Meeting in New York to Support Yemeni Govt.

The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) participated in the international ministerial meeting in New York to support the Yemeni government. (SPA)
The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) participated in the international ministerial meeting in New York to support the Yemeni government. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Participates in Int’l Ministerial Meeting in New York to Support Yemeni Govt.

The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) participated in the international ministerial meeting in New York to support the Yemeni government. (SPA)
The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) participated in the international ministerial meeting in New York to support the Yemeni government. (SPA)

The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) participated in the international ministerial meeting in New York to support the Yemeni government, the Saudi Press Agency said on Tuesday.
Yemeni Prime Minister Dr. Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak and British Minister for the Middle East and North Africa Hamish Falconer co-chaired the meeting that was held in conjunction with the UN Security Council meeting.
Dr. Hala Alsaleh, SDRPY Director of Developmental Programs, underscored that Saudi Arabia's participation in the meeting reflects its ongoing commitment to supporting Yemen across various sectors. She highlighted the Kingdom's consistent efforts to foster peace and stability in Yemen through comprehensive development initiatives led by the program.
She also outlined the Kingdom's adamant efforts to support Yemen's economic recovery through direct assistance to the Central Bank, grants, and deposits aimed at strengthening cash reserves and enhancing domestic liquidity.
Between 2012 and 2023, Saudi Arabia provided $12 billion in financial support, helping fund the budget, facilitate salary disbursement, and supply oil derivatives to ease the burden on government spending.
The Kingdom also made bank deposits to stabilize the Yemeni riyal's exchange rate and introduced various strategic projects and initiatives to support economic reforms implemented by the Yemeni government.
Saudi Arabia remains Yemen's largest historical supporter in the areas of economy, relief, and development. Its participation in the meeting encourages greater engagement from international organizations in supporting development initiatives led by the Yemeni government.
SDRPY collaborates with over 40 local, Yemeni, regional, and international partners, reflecting their trust in the Kingdom's leadership and its impactful contributions to Yemen's development and reconstruction efforts.
To date, it has implemented 263 development projects and initiatives across 16 Yemeni governorates. These projects have improved connectivity between cities and rural areas, expanded educational opportunities, empowered universities and vocational institutes, enhanced healthcare services, promoted sustainable agriculture through renewable energy, fostered economic empowerment for women and youth, and strengthened resilience against climate change.

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Gulf

Gulf States Pursue IRGC, Hezbollah Cells Amid Ongoing Attacks

Suspects identified as fugitives abroad (Bahrain’s Interior Ministry) 
Suspects identified as fugitives abroad (Bahrain’s Interior Ministry) 
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Gulf States Pursue IRGC, Hezbollah Cells Amid Ongoing Attacks

Suspects identified as fugitives abroad (Bahrain’s Interior Ministry) 
Suspects identified as fugitives abroad (Bahrain’s Interior Ministry) 

Gulf Cooperation Council states are pursuing hunting down terrorist cells linked to Tehran and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, as they continue to counter Iranian attacks, intercepting more than 6,246 missiles and drones, according to the Gulf Research Center.

Monitoring by Asharq Al-Awsat shows that within 30 days, Gulf security services uncovered nine cells tied to Iran or its allies, particularly Hezbollah, across four countries: Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE.

The first cell was announced in Qatar on March 3, and the latest on March 30—meaning all nine were dismantled within 27 days, or roughly one Iran-linked cell every three days.

Seventy-four suspects across nine Iranian cells

About 74 individuals were arrested or identified across the nine cells, according to official data. They include nationals of Kuwait, Lebanon, Iran, and Bahrain.

According to official statements and confessions, the suspects were involved in coordinating with operatives abroad in ways that undermine state sovereignty and endanger public safety. Charges include raising funds for attacks, plotting assassinations targeting leaders and public figures, damaging strategic interests, infiltrating national economies, and executing schemes that threaten financial stability.

They also face accusations of espionage, collecting intelligence on military and critical sites, and possessing drones and coordinates of sensitive locations.

“Exporting the revolution”

The activities and charges mirror previously uncovered Iran-linked networks in the Gulf. Gulf security specialist Dhafer Alajmi said Iran has pursued a policy of exporting its 1979 revolution, turning sleeper cells into an existential threat to Gulf states.

Gulf countries began dismantling such networks early in the current conflict. The first announced operation came less than 72 hours after the outbreak of US, Israeli, and Iranian military confrontations, reflecting heightened security vigilance.

In Bahrain, authorities uncovered three cells involving 14 individuals, including 12 detained and two identified as fugitives abroad.

In Kuwait, three cells linked to the banned Hezbollah group involved 45 individuals, some arrested and others identified overseas.

The UAE announced the dismantling of a network linked to Hezbollah and Iran comprising five members.

Qatar, the first to act on March 3, said two cells working for the Revolutionary Guards involved 10 suspects.

A three-dimensional strategy

Alajmi said Tehran relies on a three-dimensional strategy to encircle the region: local terrorist cells, recruitment within Gulf states to carry out bombings and assassinations, and regional armed proxies such as the Houthis and Hezbollah to exert missile and drone pressure.

He also pointed to “nuclear blackmail,” using nuclear facilities as cover for destabilizing activities and as leverage against the international community.

He said Gulf states have demonstrated exceptional efficiency through preemptive operations that foiled dozens of plots and uncovered weapons and explosives linked to the Revolutionary Guard.

He cited strict anti-money laundering and counterterrorism financing laws that have constrained Iran-linked networks financially, alongside defense alliances, enhanced security coordination such as the Peninsula Shield Force, and advanced air defense systems.

He added that public awareness has denied such cells a supportive environment, turning them from pressure tools into losing assets.

“An old, renewed tactic”

Bahraini writer Faisal Al-Sheikh said targeting Bahrain and the wider Gulf through terrorist cells and proxy networks is a long-standing Iranian tactic central to its proxy warfare strategy, aimed at undermining states from within and spreading instability.

He described it as a system built on recruiting agents and exploiting weak loyalties, calling it “organized betrayal.”

Lebanese political analyst Ibrahim Raihan said Tehran uses such cells to destabilize Gulf states and signal that any attack on it would trigger broader regional chaos.

Developments since the start of hostilities show Gulf forces have not only intercepted attacks in the air but are also engaged in a parallel ground campaign to dismantle Iran-linked networks operating within their borders.

Gulf

Russia Stresses its Support to Saudi Arabia’s Sovereignty, Security

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Russia Stresses its Support to Saudi Arabia’s Sovereignty, Security

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, held telephone talks on Thursday with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the rapid developments in the region amid the military escalation.

They tackled the negative repercussions of the escalation and its impact on marine navigation and the global economy.

Putin stressed to Crown Prince Mohammed Russia’s support to Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and security.

The leaders also exchanged views on several regional and international issues of common interest.

Gulf

Saudi Defenses Intercept, Destroy 5 Drones and a Ballistic Missile

The armed forces' readiness succeeded in protecting the airspace and dealing with various threats without recording any damage (Ministry of Defense)
The armed forces' readiness succeeded in protecting the airspace and dealing with various threats without recording any damage (Ministry of Defense)
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Saudi Defenses Intercept, Destroy 5 Drones and a Ballistic Missile

The armed forces' readiness succeeded in protecting the airspace and dealing with various threats without recording any damage (Ministry of Defense)
The armed forces' readiness succeeded in protecting the airspace and dealing with various threats without recording any damage (Ministry of Defense)

Saudi air defenses intercepted five drones and a ballistic missile launched by Iran toward the Kingdom in recent hours.

The official spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Defense, Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki, announced the interception and destruction of five drones in recent hours, as well as a ballistic missile targeting the Eastern Province.

Al-Maliki confirmed the success of the operations and the readiness of the armed forces to protect the airspace and respond to various threats, with no damage reported.