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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
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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.

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Gulf

Pilgrims Pray on Mount Arafat as Hajj Reaches Peak

The flow of pilgrims to Mina proceeded smoothly and easily, supported by all services (Photo: Ali Khamaj)
The flow of pilgrims to Mina proceeded smoothly and easily, supported by all services (Photo: Ali Khamaj)
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Pilgrims Pray on Mount Arafat as Hajj Reaches Peak

The flow of pilgrims to Mina proceeded smoothly and easily, supported by all services (Photo: Ali Khamaj)
The flow of pilgrims to Mina proceeded smoothly and easily, supported by all services (Photo: Ali Khamaj)

Huge numbers of Muslims prayed on Mount Arafat on Tuesday at the climax of the hajj pilgrimage.

From daybreak, thousands of white-robed worshippers recited Quranic verses on the 70-meter rocky hill near Makkah.

Law enforcement personnel and field teams managed crowd flows along vehicle and pedestrian routes, while comprehensive medical, ambulance, and logistical networks stood fully prepared to support the pilgrims.

After Mount Arafat, pilgrims will spend the night in Muzdalifah, where they will collect pebbles for the symbolic "stoning of the devil" ritual in Mina, starting on Wednesday.

Gulf

Saudi Joint Chiefs of Staff Director Inspects Armed Forces Preparations for Hajj

Director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces Major General Pilot Hamid Al-Omari and other officials are seen during his inspection tour. (SPA)
Director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces Major General Pilot Hamid Al-Omari and other officials are seen during his inspection tour. (SPA)
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Saudi Joint Chiefs of Staff Director Inspects Armed Forces Preparations for Hajj

Director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces Major General Pilot Hamid Al-Omari and other officials are seen during his inspection tour. (SPA)
Director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces Major General Pilot Hamid Al-Omari and other officials are seen during his inspection tour. (SPA)

Director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces Major General Pilot Hamid Al-Omari, on behalf of Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant-General Fayyad Al-Ruwaili, inspected on Monday the readiness of Armed Forces units involved in this year’s Hajj across the holy sites to ensure support for security and government agencies serving pilgrims.

The tour included the air force detachment at Arafat Airport, Ministry of Defense camps, religious affairs facilities, military police operations at the Grand Mosque, Armed Forces headquarters in Al-Awali, and the Defense Ministry’s field hospital in Mina.

Al-Omari reviewed operational plans, awareness programs, crowd management efforts, and medical preparedness to support pilgrims throughout the Hajj season.

The Military Police of the Royal Saudi Land Forces is participating in the Ministry of Defense's comprehensive Hajj plan, coordinating with internal security forces to manage crowd movement in the Grand Mosque's courtyards, oversee the Grand Mosque's gates, and organize the flow of pilgrims arriving from Mina, ensuring smooth movement during peak times.

The participating force underwent intensive training and exercises simulating various scenarios to boost its capacity for effective response and crowd management in coordination with relevant security entities.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia Condemns Terrorist Attack on Train in Pakistan’s Balochistan

People inspect the wreckage of vehicles the day after a deadly train blast, in Quetta, Pakistan, 25 May 2026. (EPA)
People inspect the wreckage of vehicles the day after a deadly train blast, in Quetta, Pakistan, 25 May 2026. (EPA)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Terrorist Attack on Train in Pakistan’s Balochistan

People inspect the wreckage of vehicles the day after a deadly train blast, in Quetta, Pakistan, 25 May 2026. (EPA)
People inspect the wreckage of vehicles the day after a deadly train blast, in Quetta, Pakistan, 25 May 2026. (EPA)

Saudi Arabia condemned on Monday the “heinous terrorist” attack targeting a train in Pakistan’s Balochistan province.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Kingdom reiterates its “complete rejection of all forms of terrorism and extremism and strongly condemns attempts to undermine the security and stability of Pakistan and its people.”

It expressed its condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the government and people of Pakistan.

An explosion targeted a train in Balochistan's provincial capital, Quetta, on Sunday, killing at least 24 people and wounding more than 50 others, according to officials.