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Saudi Arabia, South Korean Sign Deal in Industries, Military Technologies

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, South Korean Sign Deal in Industries, Military Technologies

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense. (SPA)
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense. (SPA)

Governor of the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), Ahmed al-Ohali has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with South Korea's Defense Procurement Program Minister Wang Jong-hong to develop a general framework for cooperation in military acquisitions, industries, research, and military technologies.

The agreement was signed during the two-day official visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, to South Korea earlier this week.

The deal was signed during a ceremony held at the Presidential Blue Palace in Seoul in the presence of Crown Prince Mohammed and President Moon Jae-in, and members of the official Saudi delegation and senior officials of the South Korean government.

Ohali said that the signing of this memorandum comes within the framework of strengthening industrial and defense partnerships between Saudi Arabia and South Korea.

The deal will contribute to the development of military acquisition capabilities, including the acquisition mechanism, the development of military industries, the development of specifications and standards for military products and the requirements of manufacturers' qualification and control, as well as the examination, evaluation and acceptance of military products, research and development and technology in the military field, he added.

The signing of this memorandum serves efforts of GAMI in localizing the industry and the sustainability of the qualitative military systems, according to Saudi Vision 2030 objectives and the Kingdom's endeavor to develop the military industries sector.

GAMI seeks to localize military industries in Saudi Arabia and achieve the national priorities of raising military readiness, enhance strategic independence, promote joint operation between the security and military authorities, develop a sustainable domestic military industries sector and increase transparency and spending efficiency.

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Gulf

Qatari Gas Tanker Struck in Gulf

FILE PHOTO: QatarEnergy's liquefied natural gas (LNG) production facilities, in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar March 2, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: QatarEnergy's liquefied natural gas (LNG) production facilities, in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar March 2, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
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Qatari Gas Tanker Struck in Gulf

FILE PHOTO: QatarEnergy's liquefied natural gas (LNG) production facilities, in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar March 2, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: QatarEnergy's liquefied natural gas (LNG) production facilities, in Ras Laffan Industrial City, Qatar March 2, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

A Qatari tanker has been attacked with "unidentified objects" while transiting Gulf waters, the country's state news agency reported Sunday.

The attack on Friday evening struck a liquefied natural gas carrier, Al Mayeda, which belongs to the Qatar Gas Transport Company, Qatar News Agency said.

None of the crew members onboard the vessel struck on Friday were injured and there was no environmental impact from the attack, the report said.

The ship was in a "safe condition" and operational, the Qatari company was cited as saying.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia Strengthens Water Security in 14 Yemeni Governorates with 62 Projects

The projects and initiatives have helped provide sustainable sources of safe freshwater. (SPA)
The projects and initiatives have helped provide sustainable sources of safe freshwater. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Strengthens Water Security in 14 Yemeni Governorates with 62 Projects

The projects and initiatives have helped provide sustainable sources of safe freshwater. (SPA)
The projects and initiatives have helped provide sustainable sources of safe freshwater. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia has provided 62 water projects and development initiatives across 14 Yemeni governorates to improve distribution, expand access to safe drinking water and strengthen water security in urban and rural areas.

Implemented through the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY), the initiatives have helped secure sustainable freshwater supplies, improve the efficiency of water systems, reduce losses and strengthen local communities’ ability to manage their resources.

The projects have met 100% of water needs in the Al-Ghaydah, Al-Mahra Governorate, 50% in Socotra Governorate and part of the demand in Aden Governorate, helping improve the continuity and reliability of water services.

The program combines infrastructure development with modern technology and environmental and operational sustainability. Its work includes building and upgrading water networks, connecting Yemeni communities to water sources and using renewable energy to power wells and pumps.

These measures have also improved production and distribution efficiency, reduced operating costs and extended water services to areas most in need.

Sustainable water resource management

The program has supported agriculture by introducing modern irrigation systems, including drip irrigation, to improve water-use efficiency, reduce waste and promote sustainable agricultural production and food security.

In Socotra, a project to establish an integrated water system for a sustainable freshwater supply illustrates this approach by diversifying water sources, upgrading supply networks and strengthening resource sustainability.

Efforts have also focused on empowering local communities and building technical and institutional capacity through training programs designed to develop the skills of workers and beneficiaries in water resource management, system operation and maintenance.

SDRPY has conducted awareness campaigns to encourage community participation and promote sustainable water consumption and management practices, helping maintain services and improve the long-term operational efficiency of the projects.

Strategic solutions

In January, SDRPY announced a project to establish Yemen’s first desalination plant of its kind in the Aden Governorate, using modern desalination technology to expand freshwater supplies and reduce the depletion of water resources.

The project is intended to strengthen water security and improve living conditions.

It also includes transferring Saudi expertise and training Yemeni personnel in saline water desalination to boost technical and operational capabilities and ensure the sustainability of services in the governorate.

Saudi Arabia’s support for Yemen’s water sector forms part of a broader development effort implemented through SDRPY in coordination with the Yemeni government and local authorities.

The program has undertaken 300 development projects and initiatives across 16 Yemeni governorates, covering eight sectors: education, health, energy, water, transport, agriculture and fisheries, development programs, and capacity building and support for the Yemeni government.

Together, these efforts aim to strengthen coordination among development initiatives and deliver lasting improvements in essential services and living conditions for Yemenis.

Gulf

Saudi Foreign Minister Discusses Regional Security with Russian, Canadian Counterparts

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov (SPA)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Discusses Regional Security with Russian, Canadian Counterparts

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov (SPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov (SPA)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, on the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Atlanta, Georgia on Friday.

The talks focused on bilateral relations and key regional developments, including the escalating security situation in Yemen and ongoing threats to maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The ministers also discussed efforts to strengthen regional security and stability.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand

Prince Faisal also held talks with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand on bilateral relations and the latest regional developments. The two ministers condemned continued Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and underscored the importance of joint efforts to strengthen regional security and stability.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and EU European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas

The Saudi minister also met European Union foreign policy chief and European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas. The two sides underscored the importance of promoting security and stability in the region.