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Socotra Receives First Shipment of Saudi Fuel Grant

The fuel grant supports the continuity of services and the operation of vital facilities in Yemen (SPA). 
The fuel grant supports the continuity of services and the operation of vital facilities in Yemen (SPA). 
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Socotra Receives First Shipment of Saudi Fuel Grant

The fuel grant supports the continuity of services and the operation of vital facilities in Yemen (SPA). 
The fuel grant supports the continuity of services and the operation of vital facilities in Yemen (SPA). 

The Yemeni governorate of Socotra on Friday received the first shipment of fuel products provided under a Saudi grant through the Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen (SPDRY).

The grant will support electricity generation in several districts and cover power generation stations across Yemen’s governorates.

The fuel grant comes as part of a recently announced Saudi package of developmental and economic support, comprising 28 development projects and initiatives valued at 1.9 billion Saudi riyals.

The program has signed an agreement with Yemen’s Ministry of Energy and Electricity to purchase fuel products from PetroMasila to supply more than 70 power generation stations across various governorates.

The initiative aims to strengthen institutional capacity, support the stability of the electricity sector and continuity of services, ensure the operation of vital national facilities, and stimulate economic recovery and growth in the country.

The total volume of fuel products amounts to 339 million liters of diesel and fuel oil, valued at $81.2 million, to operate power plants in different governorates. The supplies are expected to enhance the efficiency of government institutions and boost Yemen’s economy.

The grant is expected to have a positive impact on improving services for Yemenis by increasing the reliability of electricity supply for hospitals, medical centers, roads, schools, airports, and ports, as well as strengthening economic and commercial activity.

SPDRY has previously provided fuel grants worth $180 million in 2018, $422 million in 2021, and $200 million in 2022, in addition to the current grant for 2026.

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Gulf

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.

Gulf

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.

Gulf

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.