Kuwait Dismantles Iranian Cell, Bahrain Refers Collaborators to Judiciary

An Iranian rocket is intercepted over Abu Dhabi. (AFP)
An Iranian rocket is intercepted over Abu Dhabi. (AFP)
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Kuwait Dismantles Iranian Cell, Bahrain Refers Collaborators to Judiciary

An Iranian rocket is intercepted over Abu Dhabi. (AFP)
An Iranian rocket is intercepted over Abu Dhabi. (AFP)

Kuwait announced on Thursday that it busted a cell associated with Iran, while Bahrain referred collaborators with Tehran to the judiciary, reflecting the readiness of Gulf countries to deal with threats to their stability and security and to protect their higher interests.

Kuwaiti authorities said they thwarted a terrorist plot to carry out assassinations of state figures and leaders.

They detained a cell that includes a number of Kuwaitis working for Hezbollah, they added.

The cell was also tasked with recruiting people to carry out their attacks with the aim of harming higher national interests.

Kuwait had busted a similar cell just days ago.

Kuwait’s defenses also shot down on Thursday hostile rockets and drones that had breached its airspace.

In Bahrain, authorities arrested a cell accused of collaborating with Iran. It referred to the judiciary 14 people for contacting the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corp (IRGC).

The detainees received assistance and funds to support operations against Kuwait, saying the IRGC had tasked them with sending photos and information.

One of the detainees took photos and sent coordinates of vital installations to the Guards, said Manama. The IRGC had used the information received from the cell to carry out attacks against Bahrain.

On March 12, the interior ministry announced that it had arrested four citizens for collaborating with the IRGC. Two days prior, it arrested six people for sharing photos of damage caused by Iranian attacks and voicing sympathy with Tehran and its hostile activities.

On Thursday, Bahrain’s defenses downed a rocket and 19 drones. Authorities said they will continue to confront Iran’s heinous terrorist attacks.

Bahrain has so far destroyed 154 rockets and 350 drones since the hostilities began.

In the UAE, authorities said a person was killed and three wounded from falling shrapnel from a downed ballistic missile in Abu Dhabi. Several vehicles were also damaged in the incident.

Emirati defenses downed 15 ballistic missiles and 11 drones fired from Iran in recent hours.

Since the eruption of the conflict, defenses downed 372 ballistic missiles and 1,826 drones from Iran. Two members of the armed forces were killed while performing their national duties.



Coalition: Helicopter Crash in Najran Kills 2 Crew Members

Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Coalition: Helicopter Crash in Najran Kills 2 Crew Members

Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki (Asharq Al-Awsat)

A Saudi AH-6i helicopter crashed in the Najran region due to a technical malfunction, killing its two crew members, Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki said in a ⁠statement on Sunday.

The helicopter crashed in an area under the jurisdiction of the Saudi National ⁠Guard Ministry, the statement added.


Gulf FMs to Meet in Manama to Discuss Latest Developments

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
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Gulf FMs to Meet in Manama to Discuss Latest Developments

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

Gulf Foreign Ministers will meet in Manama on Sunday to discuss regional and international developments, and ways to strengthen political coordination and joint action, as a new round of the Gulf-Russian Strategic Dialogue takes place as part of efforts by both sides to expand cooperation and exchange views on issues of common interest.

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi said in a statement that the meeting, chaired by Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al-Zayani, will discuss a number of issues related to advancing joint Gulf action and review the latest developments in the region and the world.

The Manama meetings take on added significance with the convening of the ninth Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Gulf-Russian Strategic Dialogue on the sidelines of the GCC’s 168th ministerial session. The meeting aims to strengthen relations between the two sides and broaden the scope of their partnership across various fields.

Albudaiwi said the Gulf-Russian meeting reflects the GCC states’ efforts to deepen their relations with countries and regional and international blocs and to build strategic partnerships that strengthen their presence and role on the international stage.

The Secretary-General said the talks will address ways to further develop Gulf-Russian cooperation and exchange views on issues of mutual concern in a manner that serves the interests of both sides.

The strategic dialogue between the GCC and Russia is based on a memorandum of understanding signed by the two sides in November 2011, which established an institutional framework for developing relations, conducting political consultations, and strengthening cooperation in areas of shared interest.

Albudaiwi reaffirmed ongoing efforts to further advance Gulf-Russian relations in ways that serve mutual interests and strengthen the partnership between the two sides.


Faisal bin Farhan, Safadi Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. SPA
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Faisal bin Farhan, Safadi Discuss Regional Developments

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. SPA
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah has received a phone call from Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi.

During the call on Saturday, the two ministers discussed recent developments in the region and efforts to contain conflicts and mitigate their negative repercussions in the region and the world.

They also discussed the importance of continuing coordination and consultations on current challenges, reaffirming the two countries' solidarity in confronting any threats to their security and stability, while contributing to regional security and safeguarding the interests of their peoples.