Khalid bin Salman: Arrest of ISIS Leader in Yemen Latest Example of Saudi Commitment to Fight Terror

Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (Reuters)
Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (Reuters)
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Khalid bin Salman: Arrest of ISIS Leader in Yemen Latest Example of Saudi Commitment to Fight Terror

Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (Reuters)
Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (Reuters)

Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman hailed on Tuesday the Kingdom for the arrest of the leader of the ISIS terrorist group in Yemen through a joint operation by Saudi and Yemeni special forces.

In a series of tweets, he said: “The capture of ISIS’ leader in Yemen is just the latest example of our commitment to eradicating the scourge of terrorism. Saudi Arabia continues to play a leading role in the international community’s effort to combat terrorism & counter extremism.”

“The Kingdom’s military operations in Yemen are aimed at restoring the legitimate government of Yemen and preventing terrorist groups like the Houthis, Al Qaeda and ISIS from using the country to destabilize the region and to the threaten the global economy,” he added.

“Al Qaeda and ISIS have long ago declared Saudi Arabia to be their number one enemy. The Kingdom wears that declaration as a badge of honor. We will not rest until terrorism and extremism in all its forms are completely eradicated,” he declared.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir hailed the operation, saying the arrest “is a continuation of Saudi Arabia’s successes and efforts in combating all forces of extremism and terrorism.”

The June 3 operation, which was announced on Tuesday, led to the arrest of the leader of the ISIS affiliate in Yemen, Abu Osama Al-Muhajir. Other members of the terrorist group, including its financial officer in Yemen, were also arrested.



Qatar’s Chief Negotiator Says ‘Frustrated’ by Pace of Gaza Talks

The al-Atal family's tent is seen after it was struck overnight in an Israeli airstrike that killed several family members, in the Jabalia refugee camp, Gaza City, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP)
The al-Atal family's tent is seen after it was struck overnight in an Israeli airstrike that killed several family members, in the Jabalia refugee camp, Gaza City, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP)
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Qatar’s Chief Negotiator Says ‘Frustrated’ by Pace of Gaza Talks

The al-Atal family's tent is seen after it was struck overnight in an Israeli airstrike that killed several family members, in the Jabalia refugee camp, Gaza City, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP)
The al-Atal family's tent is seen after it was struck overnight in an Israeli airstrike that killed several family members, in the Jabalia refugee camp, Gaza City, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP)

Qatar's chief negotiator voiced frustration over talks for a truce in Gaza in an interview with AFP, a month after Israel resumed its strikes on the Palestinian territory and another round of negotiations ended without a deal.

"We're definitely frustrated by the slowness, sometimes, of the process in the negotiation. This is an urgent matter. There are lives at stake here if this military operation continues day by day," Mohammed Al-Khulaifi said on Friday.

Qatar, with the United States and Egypt, brokered a truce in Gaza between Israel and Hamas which came into force on January 19 and largely halted over a year of war triggered by Palestinian gunmen’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

The initial phase of the truce ended in early March, with the two sides unable to agree on the next steps.

Hamas has insisted that negotiations be held for a second phase to the truce, leading to a permanent end to the war, as outlined in the January framework.

Israel, which had called for an extension to the opening phase, resumed air and ground attacks across the Gaza Strip on March 18 after earlier halting the entry of aid.

Late on Thursday, Hamas signaled the group would not accept Israel's newest proposal for a 45-day ceasefire. Israel had wanted the release of 10 living hostages held by Hamas, the group said.

"We've been working continuously in the last days to try to bring the parties together and revive the agreement that has been endorsed by the two sides," the Qatari minister of state said.

"And we will remain committed to this, in spite of the difficulties," he added.