Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Passes Away, Key Figure in Eastern Saudi Development

Prince Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Prince Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Passes Away, Key Figure in Eastern Saudi Development

Prince Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Prince Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia’s Royal Court announced on Tuesday the passing of Prince Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, the second son of the late King Fahd bin Abdulaziz. His mother was Princess Al-Anoud bint Abdulaziz bin Musaed Al Saud.

Prince Mohammed, the fourth governor of the Eastern Province, oversaw a period of significant development in the region, coinciding with the country’s economic boom.

Born in 1950 in Riyadh, he received his early education at the Model Capital Institute before earning a bachelor's degree in economics and political science from the University of California, Santa Barbara. His government career began as assistant deputy interior minister before his appointment as Eastern Province governor in 1985.

Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, home to the kingdom’s oil, gas, petrochemical, and manufacturing industries, witnessed extensive development under Prince Mohammed bin Fahd’s tenure. The region saw major advancements in industrial and tourism sectors, infrastructure, and essential services.

Key projects included the expansion of export hubs into some of the Gulf’s largest ports, major road and electricity initiatives, and the establishment of industrial cities. The province also experienced significant urban growth and an expansion of healthcare services.

Prince Mohammed bin Fahd launched numerous initiatives to promote social development, with a focus on youth empowerment and women's advancement. His Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Program for Youth Development received the Dubai-United Nations International Award for Best Practices in Improving the Living Environment in 2002 and the Sharjah Award for Voluntary Work in 2007.

He also established several awards to foster excellence and innovation, including the Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Award for Distinguished Government Performance and the Prince Mohammed bin Fahd Award for Academic Excellence. Additionally, he founded Prince Mohammed bin Fahd University, a higher education institution known for its advanced teaching methods and modern technology.

 

 



Saudi Leadership Extends Condolences to Thailand over Victims of Crane Collapse on Train

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
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Saudi Leadership Extends Condolences to Thailand over Victims of Crane Collapse on Train

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)

The Saudi leadership extended condolences on Sunday to King of Thailand over the victims of a crane accident that fell onto a train in northeastern Thailand killing tens and injuring several.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques sent a cable to King of Thailand, Maha Vajiralongkorn, offering his deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to the families of the deceased, and the Thai people, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, sent a similar cable to the Thai king.

He extended his deepest condolences to the king, the families of the deceased, and the Thai people.


Saudi Arabia Welcomes Agreement between Syrian Govt, SDF

People celebrate as Syrian government troops take control of the town from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Raqqa, northeastern Syria, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP)
People celebrate as Syrian government troops take control of the town from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Raqqa, northeastern Syria, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP)
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Saudi Arabia Welcomes Agreement between Syrian Govt, SDF

People celebrate as Syrian government troops take control of the town from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Raqqa, northeastern Syria, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP)
People celebrate as Syrian government troops take control of the town from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Raqqa, northeastern Syria, Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026. (AP)

Saudi Arabia welcomed on Monday the ceasefire agreement between the Syrian government and Syrian Democratic Forces that was reached on Sunday.

A Saudi Foreign Ministry statement hoped the deal would help bolster security and stability and build state institutions to meet the Syrian people's aspirations for development and prosperity.

The statement reiterated the Kingdom's full support for the Syrian government's efforts to boost civil peace and preserve Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Syrian government Sunday announced a ceasefire with the SDF, taking almost full control of the country and dismantling the Kurdish-led forces that controlled the northeast for over a decade.

The agreement includes dismantling the SDF and having its forces join Syria’s military and security forces, while senior military and civilian officials would be given high-ranking positions in state institutions.

The SDF would have to give up the Raqqa and Deir Ezzor provinces to the Syrian military and government, as well as its border crossings and oil and gas fields.


Saudi Arabia Ranks Second Globally in Humanitarian Aid for 2025

Saudi Arabia ranked second globally and first in the Arab world among donor countries for humanitarian aid in 2025. (SP)A
Saudi Arabia ranked second globally and first in the Arab world among donor countries for humanitarian aid in 2025. (SP)A
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Saudi Arabia Ranks Second Globally in Humanitarian Aid for 2025

Saudi Arabia ranked second globally and first in the Arab world among donor countries for humanitarian aid in 2025. (SP)A
Saudi Arabia ranked second globally and first in the Arab world among donor countries for humanitarian aid in 2025. (SP)A

Saudi Arabia ranked second globally and first in the Arab world among donor countries for humanitarian aid in 2025, leading in contributions to Yemen with 49.3% of total aid and ranking second for aid to Syria, according to the United Nations Financial Tracking Service.

A recently released 2024 report on development assistance showed that the Kingdom ranks second among 16 non-member donor countries and tenth globally in aid volume among all 48 donor countries, including both members and non-members.

Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah stressed that the Kingdom's leadership in humanitarian efforts reflects its commitment to generosity and prioritizing human dignity.

These figures are documented in real time on the Saudi Aid Platform, the region's largest aid platform. This approach, supported by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, has been crucial in achieving these international rankings and making a tangible global impact.

Al Rabeeah said Saudi Arabia remains a constant source of generosity and a beacon of goodwill, committed under its leadership to providing assistance to those in need worldwide.