Gulf News

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

Gulf 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)

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, on behalf of Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant-General Fayyad…

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

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

Saudi Arabia condemned on Monday the “heinous terrorist” attack targeting a train in Pakistan’s Balochistan province. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign…

Gulf Saudi Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel visits the Ministry of Interior Field Hospital in Arafat on Monday. (SPA)

Saudi Health Minister Visits Ministry of Interior Field Hospital in Arafat

Saudi Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel visited on Monday the Ministry of Interior Field Hospital in Arafat, where he reviewed the hospital’s readiness and…

Gulf  Muslim pilgrims offer evening prayers around the Kaaba, in the holy city of Makkah during the annual Hajj pilgrimage, Saudi Arabia, Sunday, May 24, 2026. (AP)

Saudi Interior Ministry Announces Fine of up to SAR20,000 for Anyone Performing Hajj without Permit

The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced on Monday that a fine of up to SAR20,000 will be imposed on anyone found performing or attempting to perform Hajj…

Gulf Saudi air ambulances are lifelines in the sky that provide pilgrims with medical assistance. (Bashir Saleh)

Saudi Arabia Dedicates Integrated Health System for Hajj Pilgrims

Saudi authorities have dedicated a unique health system that accompanies Hajj pilgrims every step of the way of their holy journey. They are surrounded with…

Ibrahim al-Qurashi (Holy sites)

Gulf Iraqi government spokesman Bassem al-Awadi. (INA)

Iraq Vows No Leniency with Parties Harming Ties with Saudi Arabia

Iraq said it was ready to cooperate fully in verifying any information about an attack on Saudi Arabia that was launched from its territory, renewing its…

Asharq Al Awsat (Baghdad)
Gulf A view of Bahrain's capital Manama. (Getty Images file)

Bahrain Suspends Entry of Foreign Travelers Arriving from Three Countries Amid Ebola Fears

Bahrain said on Tuesday it was suspending the entry of foreign travelers arriving from South Sudan, ‌the Democratic ‌Republic of ‌Congo ⁠and…

Gulf The United Arab Emirates flag flutters against the backdrop of the Abu Dhabi Skyline following a reported Iranian strike, March 1, 2026. (AFP)

UAE Says Drones Targeting Nuclear Plant Came from Iraq

The United Arab Emirates on Tuesday said drones that targeted its nuclear plant last week came from Iraq, from where Iranian-backed groups have launched…

Gulf Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah. (SPA)

Saudi Govt: Kingdom Won’t Hesitate to Take Measures to Protect its Security

The Saudi government reiterated on Tuesday that the Kingdom will never hesitate in taking all measures to protect its security and stability and safety of its…

Gulf File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT

Algeria Condemns Drone Attack on Saudi Arabia

Algeria expressed its strong condemnation of the drone attack targeting Saudi Arabia, affirming its full solidarity with the Kingdom in confronting anything…

Asharq Al Awsat
Gulf Prince Faisal bin Farhan receiving Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah during a previous meeting in Riyadh (Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Coordinate Efforts to Tackle Regional Developments

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call from his Kuwaiti counterpart, Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah…

Asharq Al Awsat
Gulf Each year during Hajj, the Holy Sites undergo a remarkable transformation, emerging within days as one of the world's largest seasonal smart cities capable of accommodating millions of pilgrims through vast networks of energy, water, transport, communications, and digital services. (SPA)

Holy Sites Transform into Giant Smart Cities during Hajj Season

Each year during Hajj, the Holy Sites undergo a remarkable transformation, emerging within days as one of the world's largest seasonal smart cities capable of…

Asharq Al Awsat
Gulf The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs building. (Ministry website)

Iraqi Foreign Ministry Regrets Attacks that Targeted Saudi Arabia

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry expressed on Monday its "grave concern" over drone attacks that targeted Saudi Arabia on Sunday, stressing its categorical rejection…

Gulf The Muslim World League (MWL) logo

MWL Condemns Drone Attack on Saudi Arabia

The Muslim World League (MWL) strongly condemned the drone attack on Saudi Arabia launched from Iraqi airspace and commended the high efficiency demonstrated…

Asharq Al Awsat
Gulf File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT

UAE Strongly Condemns Drone Attack on Saudi Arabia

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) strongly condemned the drone attack on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia launched from Iraqi airspace, describing it as an…

Asharq Al Awsat
Gulf OIC Warns Against Israel's Seizure of Palestinian Holy Sites, Properties Near Al-Aqsa Mosque

OIC Warns Against Israel's Seizure of Palestinian Holy Sites, Properties Near Al-Aqsa Mosque

The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) warned against the Israeli occupation's seizure of historical buildings, Palestinian…

Asharq Al Awsat
Gulf (Kuna)

Kuwait Condemns Drone Attack on Saudi Arabia Launched from Iraq

Kuwait strongly condemned on Monday the drone attack launched from Iraqi airspace against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which was successfully intercepted, the…

Asharq Al Awsat
Gulf The late Hassan Yassin speaking during a television interview (Rotana TV screen grab) 

Saudi Adviser Hassan Yassin, Testament to Kingdom’s Modern History, Passes Away

Saudi adviser Hassan bin Youssef Yassin passed away after a life closely intertwined with the history and development of Saudi Arabia, during which he…

Omar Badawi (Riyadh)
Gulf Publishers Hisham and Mohamed Ali Hafez look through publications. 

Saudi Journalism Pioneer Mohamed Ali Hafez Passes Away

Veteran Saudi publisher and media pioneer Mohamed Ali Hafez passed away on Sunday afternoon after a long career of influence and innovation that helped shape…

Mirza al-Khuweildi (Riyadh)
Gulf The “Sallat Al-Khair” program aims to support food security in Gaza. (SPA)

Saudi KSrelief Launches 'Sallat Al-Khair' Program to Support Food Security in Gaza

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) launched the “Sallat Al-Khair” program in Khan Younis to support food security in Gaza…

Gulf A handout picture obtained from the media office of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant on February 13, 2020, shows a view of the power plant in the western Al Dhafra Region of Abu Dhabi on the Gulf coastline about 50 kilometers west of Ruwais. (Barakah Nuclear Power Plant / AFP)

Saudi Arabia Expresses its Categorical Rejection of Flagrant Attacks against UAE

Saudi Arabia strongly condemned on Sunday drone attacks against the United Arab Emirates that led to a fire in the vicinity of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant…

Gulf Saudi Defense Ministry spokesman Major General Turki Al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia Destroys 3 Drones Fired from Iraq

Saudi Arabia announced on Sunday that its defenses intercepted and destroyed three drones that were fired from Iraq. Defense Ministry spokesman Major General…

Gulf Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty during a previous meeting in Riyadh. (SPA file photo)

Saudi Arabia, Egypt Discuss Regional De-escalation Efforts

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held telephone talks on Sunday with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty on Riyadh and Cairo’s…

Gulf Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack - SPA

Saudi Foreign Minister Holds Talks with US Special Envoy for Syria

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met with US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack in Riyadh on Sunday, SPA reported. …

Asharq Al Awsat
Gulf Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in the capital Abu Dhabi (WAM)

UAE: Fire at Power Generator Near Barakah Power Plant After Drone Attack

The UAE announced that authorities had responded to a fire that broke out in an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear…

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

GCC Sec-Gen Meets UK Deputy Prime Minister during Europe Gulf Forum

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi met with Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Justice of the United Kingdom…

Asharq Al Awsat
Gulf Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Leadership Condoles Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fadhel Al-Fadhel Al-Sabah

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent a cable of condolences and sympathy to Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber…

Asharq Al Awsat (Riyadh)
Gulf UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs (WAM)

UAE Reaffirms Commitment to Protecting Regional Security, Addressing Iranian Threat

The United Arab Emirates on Saturday reaffirmed its steadfast approach to supporting regional security and stability in coordination with regional and…

Asharq Al Awsat (Abu Dhabi)
Gulf The digital platform directly connects the holy sites with surrounding infrastructure, transportation routes, and hotels to optimize crowd management during peak times. SPA

Interactive 3D Maps Launched to Facilitate Pilgrim Movement at Two Holy Mosques

The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque has launched an interactive 3D maps initiative to facilitate…

Asharq Al Awsat (Makkah)