Saudi Boosts Arabian Gulf Security by Acquiring World’s Fastest Interceptor Speedboats

Speedboats received by the Royal Saudi Navy. Photo: Imran Haider
Speedboats received by the Royal Saudi Navy. Photo: Imran Haider
TT

Saudi Boosts Arabian Gulf Security by Acquiring World’s Fastest Interceptor Speedboats

Speedboats received by the Royal Saudi Navy. Photo: Imran Haider
Speedboats received by the Royal Saudi Navy. Photo: Imran Haider

The Royal Saudi Navy reinforced its fleet with the world’s fastest speedboats and is preparing to receive a new batch of combat aircraft. The military boost is aimed at enhancing maritime security in the Arabian Gulf and protecting vital and strategic interests of Saudi Arabia.

On Thursday, the Saudi Navy organized a celebration at the Ras Mashaab military port, located 236 km north of Dammam. During the event, three speedboats joined the fleet of marine vessels.

The Kingdom has signed an agreement with French company CMN to manufacture and supply a number of the HSI32 boats.

Some of the vessels will be made in France and the rest will be made in Saudi Arabia as part of a technology transfer program.  

Commander of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces Gen. Fahd bin Abdullah Al-Ghufaili said: “We are now seeing the first signs of large naval projects.”

He stated that the interceptor vessels were the first of such initiatives.

These boats will raise the level of combat readiness, enhance maritime security in the region, contribute in carrying out operations in important areas, and protect vital strategic interests and Saudi Arabia, he added.

Al-Ghufaili also said that the Kingdom will receive a number of military helicopters in the coming months to “support the naval forces.”

The Saudi Navy is working on a comprehensive development of combat capabilities through various armament and training contracts.

It also seeks to raise combat efficiency and overall capabilities to be among the ranks of the world’s advanced marine forces. This is in order to protect Saudi interests in regional waters through the implementation of future projects in line with Vision 2030.



Coalition Intercepts Houthi Ballistic Missile Targeting Khamis Mushait

Major General Turki Al-Malki, Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Major General Turki Al-Malki, Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Coalition Intercepts Houthi Ballistic Missile Targeting Khamis Mushait

Major General Turki Al-Malki, Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Major General Turki Al-Malki, Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Official Spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki stated on Friday that a ballistic missile launched by the terrorist Houthi militia toward Khamis Mushait was intercepted and destroyed.


Arab and Islamic Bodies Condemn Houthi Attack on Power Station in Saudi Arabia’s Madinah

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
TT

Arab and Islamic Bodies Condemn Houthi Attack on Power Station in Saudi Arabia’s Madinah

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT

Several Arab and Islamic bodies on Friday condemned a Houthi attack that targeted a power station in Saudi Arabia’s Madinah that supplies electricity to the Prophet’s Mosque and other civilian facilities.

Kuwait, Qatar, the Arab League, the OIC, Egypt, Lebanon, Sudan, the Muslim World League, the Arab Parliament president, GCC, Al-Azhar, and the Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque condemned the attack, saying it violated the Kingdom's sovereignty and breached international law.

The condemnations described the attack as a threat to civilian infrastructure and expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia, while stressing the need to protect holy sites and civilian facilities from attacks.

They also renewed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed support for the Kingdom in confronting attacks targeting its security, stability, and sovereignty, as well as the safety of its citizens and residents.


Coalition: Terrorist Houthi Militia Targets Taibah Power Distribution Station in Madinah

Damage is seen at the station from the Houthi attack. (SPA)
Damage is seen at the station from the Houthi attack. (SPA)
TT

Coalition: Terrorist Houthi Militia Targets Taibah Power Distribution Station in Madinah

Damage is seen at the station from the Houthi attack. (SPA)
Damage is seen at the station from the Houthi attack. (SPA)

Official Spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki announced on Thursday that the terrorist Houthi militia in Yemen was behind a terrorist attack on the Taibah electricity distribution station in Madinah.

The attack took place at 5:11 am on Tuesday. The investigation and evidence gathered by the relevant authorities confirmed the involvement of the Houthi militia in planning and executing this “cowardly” terrorist act, based on after action review and the wreckage of the drone used.

The attack resulted in one power transformer being taken out of service, without affecting the electricity network.

Debris of the drone used by the terrorist Houthi in the attack. (SPA)

“The cowardly terrorist act, targeting a civilian facility providing electricity to the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah, is a continuation of this extremist militia's attempts to target the Two Holy Mosques and their deliberate provocation of millions of Muslims worldwide by targeting Makkah and Madinah,” said Al-Malki.

“The Coalition continues to take and implement measures to deter the terrorist Houthi militia, ensuring the protection of the Two Holy Mosques and the safety of the pilgrims in Makkah and Madinah,” he stressed.

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi strongly condemned the attack.

He stressed that “this heinous Houthi attack has crossed all red lines, represents a blatant provocation to the sentiments of Muslims across the world, and constitutes a grave escalation in violating the sanctity of Islamic holy sites.”

It reveals “an aggressive approach that disregards religious and humanitarian values as well as international laws and norms, particularly in light of repeated attempts to target the Two Holy Mosques and their surrounding areas.”

Damage is seen at the plant as a result of the Houthi attack. (SPA)

Albudaiwi underscored the GCC member states' “steadfast and unwavering stance alongside Saudi Arabia and their full solidarity in confronting anything that threatens its security, stability, and sovereignty.”

He reiterated “complete support for all measures taken by the Kingdom to protect its territory, citizens, residents, and pilgrims,” stressing that the security of the Kingdom and its holy sites “is an integral part of the collective security of the GCC, and that any threat to the Kingdom is a threat to the security of all GCC member states.”

The Jordanian government condemned the Houthi attack as an “outrageous violation of Saudi Arabia's sovereignty, a threat to its security, stability, and territorial integrity, and a clear breach of international law and the UN Charter.” 

Official Spokesperson of the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Fuad Al-Majali expressed Jordan's full solidarity with Saudi Arabia.  

He reaffirmed Jordan's support for all measures taken to ensure the security and safety of its citizens and residents. 

President of the Arab Parliament Mohamed Al-Yammahi strongly condemned the attack, stressing that “such criminal acts constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of holy sites, provoke the feelings of Muslims around the world, and threaten the security and stability of the region, rather than the Kingdom’s security alone.” 

Al-Yammahi affirmed the Arab Parliament’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its support for all measures it takes to confront such terrorist acts.  

“Such terrorist acts will not undermine Saudi Arabia’s ability to protect its resources, security, and the safety of its citizens and residents,” he added.