Saudi National Kidnapped in Istanbul

A night view of Istanbul, Turkey. (Reuters)
A night view of Istanbul, Turkey. (Reuters)
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Saudi National Kidnapped in Istanbul

A night view of Istanbul, Turkey. (Reuters)
A night view of Istanbul, Turkey. (Reuters)

A Saudi woman was kidnapped in the Turkish city of Istanbul.

Sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Abir was abducted near a hotel located in the Asian part of the city where she was staying with her family.

The victim was in Istanbul with her husband and family on vacation.

No contact has been possible with her after she disappeared. Neither the consulate nor police have been able to find out her whereabouts. They are working tirelessly to locate her.

Her husband appealed through Asharq Al-Awsat for authorities to find his wife.

According to surveillance cameras in the area, an individual carrying a small package sprayed a substance on the tourist, causing her to lose consciousness. He then abducted her, said the sources.

The development took place just days after two Saudi brothers were victims of armed robbery.

One of the brothers was shot during the attack and the assailants made away with their luggage.



GCC Welcomes Agreement between Yemen Govt, Houthis

Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)
Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)
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GCC Welcomes Agreement between Yemen Govt, Houthis

Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)
Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi welcomed on Wednesday the agreement between the legitimate Yemeni government and Iran-backed Houthi militias to de-escalate the situation with regard to the Yemeni banking sector and airlines.

The agreement was announced by the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, on Tuesday.

Albudaiwi expressed the GCC's support for all regional and international efforts and the efforts led by the UN special envoy aimed at achieving peace and security in Yemen.

The announcement underscores the importance the international community attaches to the Yemeni crisis, he added, hoping the agreement will pave the way for Yemeni parties to start the political process, under UN auspices, to reach a comprehensive political solution that achieves security and stability in the country.

He reiterated the GCC's continued support and full solidarity with Yemen, its government and people, and its keenness to encourage all efforts to de-escalate and maintain stability in order to reach peace.