Saudi Arabia Condemns Suicide Attack in Mogadishu

 A Somali military officer walk past abandoned shoes at the scene of an explosion targeting a queue of young recruits registering at the Damanyo military base in Hodan district of Mogadishu, Somalia May 18, 2025. (Reuters)
A Somali military officer walk past abandoned shoes at the scene of an explosion targeting a queue of young recruits registering at the Damanyo military base in Hodan district of Mogadishu, Somalia May 18, 2025. (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Suicide Attack in Mogadishu

 A Somali military officer walk past abandoned shoes at the scene of an explosion targeting a queue of young recruits registering at the Damanyo military base in Hodan district of Mogadishu, Somalia May 18, 2025. (Reuters)
A Somali military officer walk past abandoned shoes at the scene of an explosion targeting a queue of young recruits registering at the Damanyo military base in Hodan district of Mogadishu, Somalia May 18, 2025. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia strongly condemned on Monday the suicide attack that targeted young recruits waiting to register at a military camp in the Somali capital Mogadishu. At least 13 people were killed and 21 wounded.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry offered the Kingdom’s condolences to the relatives of the victims, as well as the government and people of Somalia.

It underscored its categorical rejection of forms of terrorism and extremism, voicing its solidarity with Somalia and its people.

Mogadishu has been repeatedly targeted by the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab extremist group, which has waged an insurgency for over a decade. The group frequently attacks military and government sites.

A similar attack in July 2023 at the Jaalle Siyaad Military Academy in Mogadishu killed 25 soldiers and wounded 70. Al-Shabab claimed responsibility for that attack.



'Spears of Victory 2026' Exercise Begins at Air Warfare Center in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Region

The “Spears of Victory 2026” military exercise kicks off at the Air Warfare Center in the Eastern Region. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)
The “Spears of Victory 2026” military exercise kicks off at the Air Warfare Center in the Eastern Region. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)
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'Spears of Victory 2026' Exercise Begins at Air Warfare Center in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Region

The “Spears of Victory 2026” military exercise kicks off at the Air Warfare Center in the Eastern Region. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)
The “Spears of Victory 2026” military exercise kicks off at the Air Warfare Center in the Eastern Region. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)

The Saudi Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday the launch of the “Spears of Victory 2026” military exercise at the Air Warfare Center in the Eastern Region.

The exercise is being conducted with the participation of branches of the Saudi Armed Forces, including land, air, naval, and air defense forces, as well as the Ministry of the National Guard, the Presidency of State Security, the Unified Military Command of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and military forces from 15 allied and partner countries.

Spears of Victory 2026, one of the largest air exercises in the region, aims to enhance military partnerships, strengthen the exchange of expertise in planning and execution, raise combat readiness, and achieve advanced levels of operational coordination and integration among participating forces.

The exercise focuses on unifying the concept of joint military action, boosting joint operational readiness, and executing and evaluating tactics to address current and emerging threats. It includes a series of advanced training activities, such as joint and combined tactical operations, specialized academic lectures, and operational missions designed to improve the performance of aircrews, technical, and support personnel.

The exercise also evaluates modern military tactics, including electronic and cyber warfare, within a multidimensional operational environment that simulates real operational conditions.

Forces participating in the exercise include those from Bahrain, Bangladesh, France, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Türkiye, the UK and United States.

The Air Warfare Center, one of the most advanced training facilities in the region, supports the development of combat plans, the assessment of capabilities, and the testing and evaluation of systems and weapons.


Saudi Arabia Condemns Israel’s Demolition of UNRWA Buildings in Jerusalem

 Heavy machinery operates as Israeli forces dismantle the Jerusalem headquarters of UNRWA, in East Jerusalem, January 20, 2026. (Reuters)
Heavy machinery operates as Israeli forces dismantle the Jerusalem headquarters of UNRWA, in East Jerusalem, January 20, 2026. (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Israel’s Demolition of UNRWA Buildings in Jerusalem

 Heavy machinery operates as Israeli forces dismantle the Jerusalem headquarters of UNRWA, in East Jerusalem, January 20, 2026. (Reuters)
Heavy machinery operates as Israeli forces dismantle the Jerusalem headquarters of UNRWA, in East Jerusalem, January 20, 2026. (Reuters)

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed on Tuesday the Kingdom’s strong condemnation of Israel's demolition of buildings belonging to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in Jerusalem.

“Saudi Arabia reiterates its rejection of Israeli violations of international and humanitarian norms and laws and holds the international community responsible for addressing these practices” and Israel’s continued crimes against international relief organizations, it said in a statement.

“Saudi Arabia expresses its support for UNRWA in its humanitarian mission to provide relief to the Palestinian people and calls on the international community to protect relief organizations, their workers and facilities,” it urged.


Saudi Arabia Stresses Need to Resolve Yemen Crisis, Support Syria’s Unity

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Stresses Need to Resolve Yemen Crisis, Support Syria’s Unity

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)

The Saudi government underlined on Tuesday the Kingdom’s efforts to resolve the crisis in Yemen, as well as tackling the southern issue, through the upcoming Riyadh conference.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet meeting that was held in Riyadh.

The Riyadh conference aims to reach a comprehensive just vision on the southern Yemen issue. It noted the Kingdom’s launch of a package of development programs and programs throughout Yemen, which are an extension of its support to the Yemeni people and determination to bolster their security and stability and improve their living conditions.

The Cabinet began reviewed a letter from Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik to Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. It also discussed the telephone call received by the Crown Prince from Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa earlier this week.

The Cabinet welcomed the launch of the second phase of the comprehensive peace plan in Gaza, the formation of the Palestinian National Committee for the Administration of the Gaza Strip, and US President Donald Trump’s announcement on the establishment of the peace council.

The Cabinet stressed the importance of consolidating the ceasefire, halting violations in Gaza, ensuring the unrestricted entry of humanitarian aid, and enabling the Palestinian National Authority to resume its responsibilities. These measures aim to end the Israeli occupation and achieve an independent Palestinian state in accordance with United Nations resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative, and the two-state solution.

The Cabinet commended the Kingdom’s welcome of the ceasefire agreement and the integration of the Syrian Democratic Forces into the Syrian state. It reiterated its support for efforts to strengthen civil peace, preserve Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and uphold the aspirations of its people for development and prosperity.

The Cabinet noted the Kingdom’s ranking as second globally and first in the Arab world among donor countries in providing humanitarian and relief aid, as well as its position as the largest supporter of Yemen in 2025, according to the United Nations Financial Tracking Service. This achievement underscores the Kingdom’s leadership, its longstanding humanitarian legacy, and its enduring commitment to extending assistance to those in need worldwide.

The Cabinet discussed the latest developments in strengthening the Kingdom’s economic partnerships, commending the success of the fifth edition of the Future Minerals Forum held in Riyadh. The conference saw wide participation from 91 countries and resulted in the signing of 132 agreements and memoranda of understanding valued at more than SAR100 billion, spanning key areas such as exploration, mining, finance, research and development, and innovation.

The Cabinet highlighted the tangible expansion of the Kingdom’s economic production base, noting that most non-oil activities have recorded annual growth rates of 5% to 10% over the past five years and continue to play a vital role in driving economic growth while promoting sustainability and inclusivity across the national economy.