Saudi Support Raises Efficiency of Yemeni Airports

Aden International Airport, SDRPY
Aden International Airport, SDRPY
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Saudi Support Raises Efficiency of Yemeni Airports

Aden International Airport, SDRPY
Aden International Airport, SDRPY

The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) contributions, especially the rehabilitation and development of Yemeni airports, constitute a vital arm for the Yemeni economy.

The rehabilitation of airports represents an essential contribution to improving development in Yemen. This is achieved by raising the level and efficiency of airports and the quality of services provided to travelers and companies operating in the field of aviation.

According to a special report obtained by Asharq Al-Awsat, SDRPY seeks to rehabilitate and develop airports to activate and build the capacities of Yemeni institutions, and to improve the level of infrastructure and basic services provided to the Yemeni people.

SDRPY projects contribute to achieving sustainable development by facilitating trade, tourism and humanitarian aid, which provides job opportunities and improves the standard of living by supporting social stability.

They also help in reaping economic benefits for Yemen by stimulating economic movement and increasing exports and trade.

Aden

Last January, SDRPY launched the first phase of one of its most important projects which is the rehabilitation and upgrading of the Aden International Airport.

The project will develop over three phases.

Phase I focuses on providing electricity, safety measures, and transportation. The external main gates and roads of the complex will be studied and redesigned, and passenger transport buses provided.

Phase II will consist of constructing and connecting vital service systems, such as telecommunications, navigation and air traffic control. Rehabilitation of the runway and taxi areas, gates, and tunnels connecting gates to aircraft will also be undertaken.

Phase III will focus on alignment of airport facilities and operations with ICAO standards in all areas, including safety, electricity supply, interior and exterior infrastructure, air traffic control and navigation.

Al Ghaydah, the capital city of Al Mahrah Governorate

SDRPY succeeded in upgrading and developing Al Ghaydah Airport in Al Mahrah Governorate. The project included equipping the facility with all communications systems, international maritime requirements. It also developed and restored waiting, departure and inspection halls, equipping them with all devices necessary.

The program conducted several tests of the air navigation systems for Al-Ghaydah Airport, in cooperation with internationally accredited companies, which included surveying the airport.

SDRPY equipped Al-Ghaydah Airport with international navigation systems that comply with the specifications of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a body which regulates air traffic.

Socotra

Last April, SDRPY launched two new projects in Socotra governorate in support of transport and airport sectors, and to complete vital development projects in the governorate.

The first project is to provide public transportation buses to raise the efficiency of the transportation sector services within the island, and to serve the people by facilitating their transportation and improving their daily lives.

The second was launched in support of Socotra Airport, by providing everything necessary for the success of the safety plans inside the facility, by preparing an advanced fire truck operating with the latest technologies, which comply with the recommendations of airport safety and firefighting from the ICAO, in addition to providing an ambulance with all medical and emergency supplies.



EU Exploring Support for New Gaza Administration Committee, Document Says

Palestinians push a cart past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the two-year Israeli offensives, in Gaza City, February 17, 2026. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
Palestinians push a cart past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the two-year Israeli offensives, in Gaza City, February 17, 2026. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
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EU Exploring Support for New Gaza Administration Committee, Document Says

Palestinians push a cart past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the two-year Israeli offensives, in Gaza City, February 17, 2026. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
Palestinians push a cart past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the two-year Israeli offensives, in Gaza City, February 17, 2026. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa

The European Union is exploring possible support for a new committee established to take over the civil administration of Gaza, according to a document produced by the bloc's diplomatic arm and seen by Reuters.

"The EU is engaging with the newly established transitional governance structures for Gaza," the European External Action Service wrote in a document circulated to member states on Tuesday.

"The EU is also exploring possible support to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza," it added.

European foreign ministers will discuss the situation in Gaza during a meeting in Brussels on February 23.


Israel Military Says Soldier Killed in Gaza 

A drone view shows the destruction in a residential neighborhood, after the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the area, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Gaza City, October 21, 2025. (Reuters)
A drone view shows the destruction in a residential neighborhood, after the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the area, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Gaza City, October 21, 2025. (Reuters)
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Israel Military Says Soldier Killed in Gaza 

A drone view shows the destruction in a residential neighborhood, after the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the area, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Gaza City, October 21, 2025. (Reuters)
A drone view shows the destruction in a residential neighborhood, after the withdrawal of the Israeli forces from the area, amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, in Gaza City, October 21, 2025. (Reuters)

The Israeli military announced that one of its soldiers had been killed in combat in southern Gaza on Wednesday, but a security source said the death appeared to have been caused by "friendly fire".

"Staff Sergeant Ofri Yafe, aged 21, from HaYogev, a soldier in the Paratroopers Reconnaissance Unit, fell during combat in the southern Gaza Strip," the military said in a statement.

A security source, however, told AFP that the soldier appeared to have been "killed by friendly fire", without providing further details.

"The incident is still under investigation," the source added.

The death brings to five the number of Israeli soldiers killed in Gaza since a ceasefire took effect on October 10.


Syria: SDF’s Mazloum Abdi Says Implementation of Integration Deal May Take Time

People sit outdoors surrounded by nature, with the Tigris river flowing in the background, following a long atmospheric depression, near the Syrian-Turkish border in Derik, Syria, February 16, 2026 REUTERS/Orhan Qereman
People sit outdoors surrounded by nature, with the Tigris river flowing in the background, following a long atmospheric depression, near the Syrian-Turkish border in Derik, Syria, February 16, 2026 REUTERS/Orhan Qereman
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Syria: SDF’s Mazloum Abdi Says Implementation of Integration Deal May Take Time

People sit outdoors surrounded by nature, with the Tigris river flowing in the background, following a long atmospheric depression, near the Syrian-Turkish border in Derik, Syria, February 16, 2026 REUTERS/Orhan Qereman
People sit outdoors surrounded by nature, with the Tigris river flowing in the background, following a long atmospheric depression, near the Syrian-Turkish border in Derik, Syria, February 16, 2026 REUTERS/Orhan Qereman

Mazloum Abdi, commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces, said the process of merging the SDF with Syrian government forces “may take some time,” despite expressing confidence in the eventual success of the agreement.

His remarks came after earlier comments in which he acknowledged differences with Damascus over the concept of “decentralization.”

Speaking at a tribal conference in the northeastern city of Hasakah on Tuesday, Abdi said the issue of integration would not be resolved quickly, but stressed that the agreement remains on track.

He said the deal reached last month stipulates that three Syrian army brigades will be created out of the SDF.

Abdi added that all SDF military units have withdrawn to their barracks in an effort to preserve stability and continue implementing the announced integration agreement with the Syrian state.

He also emphasized the need for armed forces to withdraw from the vicinity of the city of Ayn al-Arab (Kobani), to be replaced by security forces tasked with maintaining order.