Bahrain Confirms Committing to Principles of Anti-Terror Countries

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Reuters
King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Reuters
TT

Bahrain Confirms Committing to Principles of Anti-Terror Countries

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Reuters
King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. Reuters

The King of Bahrain has hailed the efforts of the anti-terror Quartet and the current boycott of countries supporting terrorism headed by Qatar, underscoring the Kingdom vital role in fighting terrorism in the region.

“The Kingdom affirms its adherence to the basic principles declared by the countries calling for the fight against terrorism and uncovering the supporters and funders of terrorism, who adopt political agendas that aim to fabricate crises, divide ranks and threaten the security and stability of the region,” King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa said.

The King’s comments came during the opening of the final session of the fourth legislative term at a special ceremony held at the Isa Cultural Center premises in Juffair.

Deputy Prime Ministers, Bahrain Defense Force(BDF) Commander-in-Chief Field Marshall Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, ministers, senior officers of the BDF, Interior Ministry and National Guard, Members of Parliament and Shura Council, Ambassadors and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.

The King mentioned the headlines of Bahrain’s internal and foreign policy as he stressed the reform requirements and development in light of this changeable world.

“The requirements of reform and development in our changing world, with its opportunities and challenges, call for a clear vision to ensure a smooth development process,” King Hamad said.

“On this level, the Kingdom of Bahrain has been able to meet these requirements, proceeding from our comprehensive national project, from which stems Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030 and its principles that instill justice, competitiveness, and sustainability to attain leadership in performance and achievement,” King Hamad added.

Praising the efforts paid by the two branches of the Legislative Authority, the House of Representatives and Shura Council, King Hamad highlighted the main legislations passed during the previous three years, serving the people of Bahrain and their interests.

He commended the initiatives of the legislature that aim to boost the level of social stability, especially the Family Law, which came in the “form of a consensus and unified formula, stemming from the provisions of the Islamic Shari'a, and in support of the tremendous attention the Kingdom accords to the status of the Bahraini family in general and women in particular, who deserve all respect.”

It’s a matter of pride that Bahraini women today exceed the traditional stages of empowerment to reach the higher status they now enjoy as they represent a high percentage of the country’s public and private sector employees,” the King said.

In the field of foreign policy, King Hamad stressed that his country will remain, as it has always been known in the Arab world, faithful to its causes, protecting its security and defending its interests.

"It will mobilize all its military, security and diplomatic capabilities to confront any illegal interference and deal with any crises that aim to destabilize its Arab region,” the King added.

"In this regard, we will continue our efforts in support of the legitimate rights of the brotherly Palestinian people to establish their independent State, with Jerusalem as its capital, as a prerequisite for the establishment of security and stability in the region.”

In this context, Speaker of the Council of Representatives called upon Qatar to return to the Gulf House and the Arab Ranks and to adhere to the bonds, ties of closeness, religion, history and common destiny and to stay away from the Iranian policies.



Israel Announces New Strikes Against Yemen’s Houthis

Israel Announces New Strikes Against Yemen’s Houthis
TT

Israel Announces New Strikes Against Yemen’s Houthis

Israel Announces New Strikes Against Yemen’s Houthis

Houthi militias in Yemen said Israeli airstrikes on Thursday targeted Sanaa and the port city of Hodeidah, following several days of Houthi launches setting off sirens in Israel.

The Israeli military said it attacked infrastructure used by the Houthis at the international airport in Sanaa and ports at Hodeidah, Al-Salif and Ras Qantib along with Hezyaz and Ras Kanatib power stations. It came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that “the Houthis, too, will learn what Hamas and Hezbollah and Assad’s regime and others learned.”

Netanyahu monitored the new strikes along with military leaders, his government said. The Iran-backed Houthis' media outlet confirmed the strikes in a Telegram post but gave no immediate details. The US military also has targeted the Houthis in Yemen in recent days.

Over the weekend, 16 people were wounded when a Houthi missile hit a playground in Tel Aviv. Last week, Israeli jets struck Sanaa and Hodeidah, killing nine people, calling it a response to previous Houthi attacks. The Houthis also have been targeting shipping on the Red Sea corridor, calling it solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

Israel has instructed its diplomatic missions in Europe to try to get the Houthis designated as a terrorist organisation.
The UN Security Council is due to meet on Monday over Houthi attacks against Israel, Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon said on Wednesday.