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GCC: Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland Violates Int’l Law and Somalia’s Sovereignty

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi.
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi.
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GCC: Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland Violates Int’l Law and Somalia’s Sovereignty

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi.
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi.

GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi strongly condemned Israel’s recognition of Somaliland region, calling it a dangerous violation of international law and a clear infringement on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

He warned that such a move would undermine stability in the Horn of Africa and fuel tensions, contrary to regional and international efforts for peace, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Saturday.

Albudaiwi reaffirmed the GCC’s support for Somalia’s security, stability, sovereignty, and unity, as stated in the final communiqué of the 164th GCC Ministerial Council.

He urged the international community to reject this action and refrain from recognizing any measures that threaten the unity of states or international legitimacy.

On Friday, Israel formally recognized the northern region of Somaliland as an "independent and sovereign state" -- the first country to do so.

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Gulf

Saudi Crown Prince: 'Vision 2030' Has Driven a Qualitative Leap in the Kingdom’s Development Path

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Crown Prince: 'Vision 2030' Has Driven a Qualitative Leap in the Kingdom’s Development Path

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Crown Prince, Prime Minister, and Chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs, Mohammed bin Salman, affirmed that “Vision 2030” has brought about a qualitative transformation in the Kingdom’s development trajectory, through the comprehensive and tangible progress it has achieved across the economic sphere, services, infrastructure and logistics, and aspects of social life.

He affirmed that the Vision “entered in 2026 its third and final phase, which will extend over the next five years until 2030, maintaining its focus on long-term objectives while adapting implementation methods to the requirements of the phase, in a way that sustains momentum and prosperity and positions the Kingdom at the forefront of advanced nations.”

Gulf

Defense Ministry to Launch Inaugural Saudi Military History Forum in September

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Defense Ministry to Launch Inaugural Saudi Military History Forum in September

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

The Ministry of Defense, in cooperation with the King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah) and Taif University's Taif History Center, will organize the first Saudi military history forum in September 2026, aimed at documenting the Kingdom's military heritage and chronicling the development of its Armed Forces.

The forum will address four main tracks: the military foundation of the Kingdom, the role of Taif Governorate in the emergence of the Saudi Army, the historical development of the Armed Forces, and sources for documenting Saudi military history, SPA reported.

Activities will include peer-reviewed paper presentations, panel discussions, a historical exhibition, and field visits to military facilities and historically significant sites.

Researchers and academics are invited to submit abstracts via the Darah digital platform by May 15, with full papers due by June 30.

Gulf

Iran’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia: Our Pilgrims Continue to Arrive in the Kingdom for Hajj

Iran’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Alireza Enayati speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat. (Turky Al-Agili)
Iran’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Alireza Enayati speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat. (Turky Al-Agili)
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Iran’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia: Our Pilgrims Continue to Arrive in the Kingdom for Hajj

Iran’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Alireza Enayati speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat. (Turky Al-Agili)
Iran’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Alireza Enayati speaks to Asharq Al-Awsat. (Turky Al-Agili)

The first batch of Iranian pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia to perform this year’s Hajj amid an integrated system of services offered by the Kingdom for pilgrims from all over the world.

Iran’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Alireza Enayati told Asharq Al-Awsat that the second batch of Iranian pilgrims will arrive on Tuesday.

“They are being generously welcomed by Saudi Arabia, as are all pilgrims and as have all Iranians over the years,” he stressed.

The first batch of arrivals were administrative and social staff that will accompany the Iranian pilgrims. They will be followed by the pilgrims on Tuesday after Iran reopened its airspace over the weekend.

Pilgrims first started arriving in the Kingdom on April 18.

The Kingdom is dedicating all of its means to serve them and allow them to perform the holy rituals with ease.

Enayati hoped the Iranians would perform the rituals with ease and return home safely, expressing his gratitude to Saudi and Iranian authorities for their services.

The Iranian embassy is ready to offer any assistance and is coordinating with the Saudi Foreign Ministry, he added.

He noted the recent telephone call between Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi that tackled regional developments and diplomatic efforts exerted towards them.

Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry has been implementing the Makkah Road Initiative for eight years as part of the Pilgrim Experience Program. It is being carried out in 10 countries: Morocco, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Türkiye, Cote d'Ivoire, Maldives, Senegal and Brunei Darussalam.

Since its launch in 2017, the initiative has served over 1.2 million pilgrims. It aims to facilitate their journey through offering integrated services in cooperation with the relevant ministries and agencies.