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Saudi Arabia Reports More Virus Cases as it Goes into Lockdown for Eid

An empty roundabout is seen during curfew in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
An empty roundabout is seen during curfew in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Reports More Virus Cases as it Goes into Lockdown for Eid

An empty roundabout is seen during curfew in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
An empty roundabout is seen during curfew in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia reported on Friday 2,642 coronavirus cases, raising its total to 67,719, as security forces began enforcing a four-day nationwide lockdown over the outbreak.

Health Ministry spokesman Dr. Mohammed Abdelali said 28,352 patients were receiving medial care and 302 were in critical condition.

He told a daily press briefing on the outbreak that 38 percent of the new cases were detected among Saudis.

Recoveries have reached 39,003 with 2,963 new patients confirmed to have beaten the disease. Thirteen new fatalities were reported, raising the toll to 364.

Meanwhile, security forces began enforcing a 24-hour four-day lockdown throughout the Kingdom with the advent of the Eid al-Fitr holiday.

Saudi Arabia declared earlier on Friday that the holiday, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan, would begin on Sunday.

Interior Ministry security spokesman Talal al-Shalhoub underscored the need for respecting the lockdown and social distancing measures. Gatherings of more than five people will also be barred.

He said security forces will enforce the lockdown in residential neighborhoods and public areas. People caught violating restrictions will be fined.

Restaurants, factories, laboratories, hypermarkets, gas stations, pharmacies, food markets and stores will be exempt from the lockdown. They will operate during curfew hours.

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Gulf

Arab Solidarity with Qatar After Iranian Missile Strike

Interceptor missiles are fired, after Iran's armed forces say they targeted the Al-Udeid base in a missile attack, as seen from Doha, Qatar, June 23, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer
Interceptor missiles are fired, after Iran's armed forces say they targeted the Al-Udeid base in a missile attack, as seen from Doha, Qatar, June 23, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer
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Arab Solidarity with Qatar After Iranian Missile Strike

Interceptor missiles are fired, after Iran's armed forces say they targeted the Al-Udeid base in a missile attack, as seen from Doha, Qatar, June 23, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer
Interceptor missiles are fired, after Iran's armed forces say they targeted the Al-Udeid base in a missile attack, as seen from Doha, Qatar, June 23, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer

In a unified show of Arab solidarity, several Gulf and regional nations strongly condemned Iran’s missile strike on Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, denouncing it as a flagrant violation of international law, regional sovereignty, and the principles of good neighborliness.

Saudi Arabia led the regional response, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issuing a sharply worded statement condemning the strike as an “unjustifiable and unacceptable act” that violated international norms. Riyadh reaffirmed its full support for Qatar, pledging to mobilize all available resources to assist its Gulf neighbor in any measures it deems necessary.

Bahrain echoed the Kingdom’s stance, condemning the IRGC’s aggression as a clear breach of Qatari sovereignty and airspace. Manama’s Foreign Ministry emphasized the “bond of brotherhood and blood” that ties Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, urging restraint and peaceful resolution of disputes while affirming its unwavering support for Doha.

The United Arab Emirates condemned the attack in the strongest terms, calling it a blatant violation of Qatari sovereignty and a dangerous escalation. The UAE’s Foreign Ministry expressed full solidarity with Qatar and underscored the importance of protecting civilians and maintaining regional stability. It warned that continued military provocations could lead the region into dangerous and irreversible consequences.

For its part, Kuwait described the strike as a “grave breach” of Qatari airspace and sovereignty. The Foreign Ministry declared its total support for Qatar’s leadership and people, backing their right to respond appropriately to such an attack. Kuwait also offered to mobilize its full capabilities to support its Gulf partner.

Oman, while emphasizing its commitment to de-escalation, also denounced Iran’s strike as a violation of the sovereignty of a fellow GCC member. Muscat pointed to Israel’s earlier unlawful strike on Iranian territory as a trigger for the current escalation and warned that expanding the conflict would only lead to greater instability and humanitarian suffering.

Iraq expressed deep concern about the intensifying regional conflict. Its Foreign Ministry called for immediate restraint, warning that the Iranian strike marked a dangerous turning point that could draw more actors into an already volatile confrontation.

The Secretary-General of the GCC, Jassim Al-Budaiwi, issued a strong statement condemning the Iranian missile attack as a violation of Qatari sovereignty and a threat to the collective security of the Gulf states. He stressed that Qatar’s security is inseparable from that of the entire GCC and called on the international community and the UN Security Council to hold Iran accountable for its destabilizing actions.