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Saudi Arabia Launches $1.9 Bln Development Projects in Yemen

A photo posted by Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman of his meeting with Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Chairman Dr. Rashad al-Alimi.
A photo posted by Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman of his meeting with Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Chairman Dr. Rashad al-Alimi.
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Saudi Arabia Launches $1.9 Bln Development Projects in Yemen

A photo posted by Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman of his meeting with Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Chairman Dr. Rashad al-Alimi.
A photo posted by Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman of his meeting with Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Chairman Dr. Rashad al-Alimi.

Saudi Arabia unveiled a comprehensive package of development projects across Yemen on Wednesday, announcing 28 projects and initiatives worth 1.9 billion riyals aimed at supporting stability and economic recovery nationwide.

The projects extend Saudi support for Yemen under directives from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, with follow-up by Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman.

In a post on the X platform, Prince Khalid stated that the support delivered through the Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen (SDRPY) reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening security and stability and contributing to a better future for Yemen and its people.

Prince Khalid met on Wednesday with Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Chairman Dr. Rashad al-Alimi, members of the council, the Prime Minister, and the Minister of State and Governor of Aden, for talks on fraternal ties between their countries.

The meeting discussed developments in Yemen and efforts aimed at ending the crisis through a comprehensive political settlement to achieve security and stability. It underscored the importance of continuing work on the future of the southern issue through the upcoming Riyadh conference to reach an inclusive vision for fair solutions.

Al-Alimi described the meeting with Prince Khalid as productive, saying it addressed national developments and Saudi Arabia’s promising support within a strategic partnership that meets the aspirations of the Yemeni people to restore state institutions, security, stability, and peace.

In a post on X, al-Alimi stated that the development projects represent a cornerstone for recovery and reconstruction, and a prelude to broader programs aimed at improving services and livelihoods, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s strong commitment to supporting the Yemeni state at all levels.

He expressed deep gratitude and appreciation to Saudi Arabia’s leadership for its steadfast positions alongside the Yemeni people and their political leadership at all stages.

The new package includes petroleum derivatives to operate power plants across Yemen, which is expected to improve the reliability of electricity supply to hospitals, medical centers, roads, schools, airports, ports, and other facilities, as well as support industrial activity and boost trade.

The SDRPY will begin operating the King Salman Medical and Educational City in Al-Mahra after completion of all construction works and full equipment installation, strengthening Yemen’s health sector.

The interim capital Aden will also receive development projects and initiatives, including the continued operation of Prince Mohammed bin Salman Hospital for the next three years.

The program will establish Yemen’s first desalination plant to help achieve water security and improve access to fresh water.

It will launch the second and third phases of the Aden airport rehabilitation project, including the rebuilding of the runway and the provision of navigation and communications systems, to enhance passenger services, enable international and domestic airlines to operate flights, and support economic and commercial activity.

Among the key projects is the completion of the final section of the expansion and rehabilitation of the Al Abr road, covering the Ghuwayrban to Al Makhtham stretch, following the completion of the first and second phases, totaling 90 km in Marib.

Work will also begin to rehabilitate the Al Abr to Seiyun road in Hadhramaut to boost safe mobility and support trade and economic activity.

The package also includes boosting electricity capacity through the construction of a 30 megawatt power plant in Taiz, supporting service continuity, operating Al-Mokha Hospital to ensure the continued delivery of medical services, and a project to build, expand, and upgrade the coastal road and its related intersections to promote economic and social development.

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Gulf

Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns Iranian Violations of Bahraini, Kuwaiti Sovereignty

Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns Iranian Violations of Bahraini, Kuwaiti Sovereignty
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Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns Iranian Violations of Bahraini, Kuwaiti Sovereignty

Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns Iranian Violations of Bahraini, Kuwaiti Sovereignty

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s strongest condemnation and denunciation of the malicious Iranian attacks and blatant violations of the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Kuwait, which constitute a threat to regional and international security.

The ministry stated that the continued Iranian attacks mean further escalation, pushing the region toward heightened tensions and undermining security and stability, SPA reported.

Saudi Arabia reaffirmed that these violations undermine international efforts aimed at restoring security and stability in the region.

Saudi Arabia also renewed its solidarity with the Kingdom of Bahrain and the State of Kuwait, and its full support for all measures they take to safeguard their sovereignty, security, and stability.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia Condemns Attack on UNIFIL Site in South Lebanon

Smoke rises after a drone crashed near UNIFIL's headquarters. (UNIFIL)
Smoke rises after a drone crashed near UNIFIL's headquarters. (UNIFIL)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Attack on UNIFIL Site in South Lebanon

Smoke rises after a drone crashed near UNIFIL's headquarters. (UNIFIL)
Smoke rises after a drone crashed near UNIFIL's headquarters. (UNIFIL)

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned in the strongest terms the attack on the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) position, which resulted in the death of one soldier and injuries to others.

The Kingdom reiterated its full rejection of attacks on UNIFIL forces and called for all perpetrators of attacks against peacekeeping, relief, and humanitarian personnel to be held accountable.

The Kingdom extended its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased soldier and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.

Gulf

How Saudi Arabia Protects Whistleblowers, Witnesses, Experts and Victims

The Witnesses, Experts, and Victims Protection Program takes the necessary measures to keep their data confidential. (SPA)
The Witnesses, Experts, and Victims Protection Program takes the necessary measures to keep their data confidential. (SPA)
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How Saudi Arabia Protects Whistleblowers, Witnesses, Experts and Victims

The Witnesses, Experts, and Victims Protection Program takes the necessary measures to keep their data confidential. (SPA)
The Witnesses, Experts, and Victims Protection Program takes the necessary measures to keep their data confidential. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia has launched a program to protect whistleblowers, witnesses, experts and victims, with the aim of ensuring their security and safety.

The forms of protection include monitoring their means of communication through the security department, after obtaining their written consent.

The program, established under Article 4 of the Law on the Protection of Whistleblowers, Witnesses, Experts and Victims, is linked to the Public Prosecutor.

Its administration is made up of a president, a deputy and two members of the Public Prosecution, as well as representatives from the Interior Ministry, the Presidency of State Security and the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority.

The regulations, published by the official Umm al-Qura newspaper, require courts to hear witness testimony and question experts away from the defendant and their lawyer in certain cases.

These include cases where the defendant’s criminal record shows they have previously harmed witnesses or experts, where they may pose a danger to others, or where the testimony or expert evidence is linked to a crime covered by the law and connected to an organized criminal group whose members have not all been arrested.

In such cases, the regulations also require courts to conceal the names of witnesses in judicial rulings.

According to the regulations, which came into force on Friday, the program’s administration will receive protection requests and refer them to the competent authorities to complete the requirements needed for review.

It will also submit recommendations to the Public Prosecutor on incomplete requests in cases where there are grounds to believe the person may face imminent danger.

The administration will study recommendations for protection from the competent authorities, determine the type of protection in detail when needed, and ensure it matches the risks, circumstances and facts of each case. It will then decide whether to approve or reject protection, continue it or amend its type.

Under the law, the administration will also submit recommendations to the Public Prosecutor on legal assistance requests from competent foreign authorities concerning protection.

It will support courts in implementing any measures they deem necessary and coordinate with relevant authorities to manage the affairs of the protected person and provide protection, including through electronic means.

It will notify the protected person if a decision is made to disclose their identity, take measures to protect them from physical harm, and ensure their health, safety and social adjustment throughout the protection period, while taking into account their rights and freedoms.

The administration must also preserve the confidentiality of the protected person’s data, determine their obligations and prepare a classification of the risks they may face.

The program’s duties include following up on the implementation of protection with the competent authorities, periodically reassessing the danger faced by the protected person and making any necessary adjustments.

It will also create a special register for protected persons and take measures to remedy any employment-related action referred to in the law.

The administration may interview the applicant or protected person when necessary, take legal action to recover from those responsible the costs borne by the state for their treatment, issue a decision ending protection under the law, and notify the protected person and relevant authorities.

The regulations allow protection requests to be submitted by the whistleblower, witness, expert or victim, or by a guardian, custodian, agent or lawyer acting on behalf of any of them.

Requests may be submitted to oversight bodies, law enforcement, evidence-gathering or investigation authorities, or the court, depending on the case.

The recommendation must include all necessary data and information, the measures taken, the factors affecting the case under the law, and the proposed type and duration of protection.

The authority that receives the request must submit its recommendation to approve or reject it to the program within five days.

Applicants may also submit requests directly to the administration. If the request meets the requirements set out in the regulations, the administration must refer it to the competent authority to review the recommendation.

Other factors the program’s administration must consider when reviewing a protection request include the public interest linked to criminal proceedings, the importance of the information and evidence provided by the person seeking protection, and that person’s health, social and financial condition.

The administration must also consider whether the danger or threat extends to the person’s spouse, relatives or others closely connected to them, as well as information from previous requests and the resources available to the security department.

When the administration approves a protection request under the law, the regulations require it to sign a protection document with the protected person. The document sets out the rights and obligations of both parties, as well as the relevant terms and conditions.

The security department is responsible for providing what is needed to implement protection or security escort for protected persons and for taking measures to ensure their safety, in line with the procedures, mechanisms and duration set by the program.

It must prepare periodic reports on protected persons, their compliance with the protection document, the risks they have faced, and continuing assessments of the risks they may face. It must also recommend whether protection should continue, be amended or be ended.

The program’s administration may apply any other form of protection it deems appropriate, based on the nature of the risk and harm, the seriousness of the criminal conduct and the circumstances of the person requiring protection.

These measures include monitoring the protected person’s means of communication through the security department after obtaining their written consent.

They also include transferring them, if they are detained, imprisoned or placed in custody, from their place of detention, imprisonment or custody to another location in coordination with the competent authorities.

The measures may also include issuing them a temporary protection identity document, within the narrowest limits and only in cases of urgent need.

The identity document may be used only for protection purposes and under controls agreed with the Interior Ministry to prevent its misuse. Any use for another purpose is invalid.

Other measures include placing protective technical devices in the protected person’s home or means of transport and assigning them an alternative residential address through the program’s administration.

Under the regulations, when the program’s administration ends protection for a protected person, it may continue protection for people who remain exposed to danger or harm because of their close connection to that person whenever there are grounds requiring continued protection.

The administration may issue a warning to the protected person if they fail to comply with protection instructions communicated to them, and may cancel the warning if they provide valid reasons. It must also verify whether they deliberately provided false information.

Any authority with which the protected person refuses to cooperate must immediately inform the program. Before ending protection, the program may request recommendations from the authority that sought protection, the security department and the competent authorities.

The person concerned must be notified of the decision through a legally recognized method. Protection does not end until the decision becomes final.