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.



Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns Iranian Attempts to Target Türkiye, Azerbaijan

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
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Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns Iranian Attempts to Target Türkiye, Azerbaijan

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs logo

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned on Thursday Iran's attempts to target Türkiye and Azerbaijan.

The Kingdom stressed that “these cowardly attempts and Iran's repeated blatant aggression against countries in the region reveal a hostile approach that cannot be justified.”

This behavior “clearly violates international laws, norms, and the principles of good neighborliness while pushing the region toward further escalation,” the ministry said.

The Kingdom expressed its full solidarity with the governments and peoples of Türkiye and Azerbaijan, affirming their right to protect their security, airspace, territorial integrity, and citizens, and commended their efforts to avoid escalation and maintain regional security and stability.


6 Injured in Abu Dhabi by Debris from Intercepted Drone

FILE PHOTO: Smoke billows from Zayed port after an Iranian attack in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, March 1, 2026. REUTERS/Abdelhadi Ramahi/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Smoke billows from Zayed port after an Iranian attack in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, March 1, 2026. REUTERS/Abdelhadi Ramahi/File Photo
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6 Injured in Abu Dhabi by Debris from Intercepted Drone

FILE PHOTO: Smoke billows from Zayed port after an Iranian attack in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, March 1, 2026. REUTERS/Abdelhadi Ramahi/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Smoke billows from Zayed port after an Iranian attack in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, March 1, 2026. REUTERS/Abdelhadi Ramahi/File Photo

Falling debris from an intercepted drone injured six people in the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi on Thursday, the UAE's media office said.

"Authorities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi responded to an incident involving falling debris at two locations in the ICAD 2 area, following the successful interception of a drone by air defenses.

The incident resulted in six minor to moderate injuries to Pakistani and Nepalese nationals," Abu Dhabi media office said in a statement.


EU-GCC Ministerial Meeting Convenes Thursday to Discuss Iranian Crisis

Life returns to normal in Kuwait after Iranian missiles and drones were intercepted (AFP). 
Life returns to normal in Kuwait after Iranian missiles and drones were intercepted (AFP). 
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EU-GCC Ministerial Meeting Convenes Thursday to Discuss Iranian Crisis

Life returns to normal in Kuwait after Iranian missiles and drones were intercepted (AFP). 
Life returns to normal in Kuwait after Iranian missiles and drones were intercepted (AFP). 

A European official revealed that the foreign ministers of the European Union and their counterparts from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) are scheduled to hold virtual talks Thursday to discuss the war in the region. The meeting was called for by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas.

Christophe Farnaud, the EU Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the meeting comes at a critical moment for both sides and will provide an opportunity to express solidarity, exchange views and positions, and explore frameworks for joint cooperation.

He added that Iran’s attacks and its violation of the sovereignty of the EU’s partners in the region cannot be justified, stressing the EU’s solidarity with all its Gulf partners.

The European diplomat said the EU’s close engagement with Gulf countries reflects its support for efforts to de-escalate tensions and encourage constructive dialogue.

He continued that both sides must also look ahead, emphasizing that the European Union is committed to strengthening and deepening its strategic partnership with GCC partners, advancing cooperation across all fields, and reinforcing their shared commitment to peace, security, and prosperity.

The virtual meeting, called by Kaja Kallas, comes amid escalating violence in the region following the US-Israeli attack on Iran.

EU foreign ministers had already held an emergency online meeting on Sunday, during which they reviewed the US and Israeli attacks on Iran and the repercussions of the reported assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader.

They are also seeking to define a unified European position toward the ongoing crisis, while discussing the situation of energy markets, regional stability, and the status of EU citizens in the region.