Iran Shifts Attention from its Crises by Escalating Houthi Attacks against Saudi Arabia

Saudi-led coalition spokesman, Turki al-Malki, displays the debris of a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi towards Riyadh during a news conference in Riyadh on March 29, 2020. (Reuters)
Saudi-led coalition spokesman, Turki al-Malki, displays the debris of a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi towards Riyadh during a news conference in Riyadh on March 29, 2020. (Reuters)
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Iran Shifts Attention from its Crises by Escalating Houthi Attacks against Saudi Arabia

Saudi-led coalition spokesman, Turki al-Malki, displays the debris of a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi towards Riyadh during a news conference in Riyadh on March 29, 2020. (Reuters)
Saudi-led coalition spokesman, Turki al-Malki, displays the debris of a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi towards Riyadh during a news conference in Riyadh on March 29, 2020. (Reuters)

The Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen have upped their attacks against Saudi Arabia in the past two weeks. These failed attacks have coincided with a series of mysterious explosions that have rocked various facilities in Iran.

The latest Houthi escalation took place this week when they fired seven booby-trapped drones and four ballistic missiles at the Kingdom. They were all intercepted and downed by the Saudi-led Arab coalition.

Observers said it was not unusual for Tehran to seek such an escalation, especially ahead of the American presidential elections in November, and given the numerous local crises it is grappling with. They noted that it resorts to escalation in order to pressure the international community and save its regime.

Senior research fellow at the Gulf Research Center, Dr. Hesham Alghannam said that every time Iran endures a setback, it carries out a flagrant attack in an attempt to divert attention away from the pressure it is coming under.

The pressure is aimed at altering its hostile behavior against its neighbors and the world. The international community, therefore, must be alert to its tricks and connect developments to each other, he urged. It must not be blind to the fact that a regional party - Iran - is involved in Yemen and does not want its crisis to end.

The recent Houthi attack brings to 322 the number of ballistic missiles and 379 the number of drones they have fired at Saudi Arabia since the eruption of the Yemeni conflict.



MWL Welcomes US Designation of 3 Muslim Brotherhood Branches as Terrorist Groups

The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
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MWL Welcomes US Designation of 3 Muslim Brotherhood Branches as Terrorist Groups

The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
The Muslim World League (MWL) logo

The Muslim World League (MWL) welcomed the US designation of the Muslim Brotherhood branches in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon as terrorist organizations, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

In a statement issued by its General Secretariat, MWL Secretary-General and Organization of Muslim Scholars Chairman Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa, emphasized that “Islam is not represented by those who deviate from its principles and values, nor by those who distort the meanings of its texts to justify extremism and violence, or exploit them to stir discord, divide the Islamic community, and destabilize societies in pursuit of narrow political and factional interests.”

He reaffirmed the stance of the MWL alongside that of the global Islamic community in categorically rejecting and condemning violence and terrorism in all forms, irrespective of their origin or pretext.

He also denounced the religious and ideological extremism that fuels such acts, which continue to threaten global security and undermine the stability and prosperity of societies worldwide.


Saudi Arabia Launches $1.9 Bln Development Projects in Yemen

A photo posted by Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman of his meeting with Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Chairman Dr. Rashad al-Alimi.
A photo posted by Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman of his meeting with Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Chairman Dr. Rashad al-Alimi.
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Saudi Arabia Launches $1.9 Bln Development Projects in Yemen

A photo posted by Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman of his meeting with Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Chairman Dr. Rashad al-Alimi.
A photo posted by Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman of his meeting with Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Chairman Dr. Rashad al-Alimi.

Saudi Arabia unveiled a comprehensive package of development projects across Yemen on Wednesday, announcing 28 projects and initiatives worth 1.9 billion riyals aimed at supporting stability and economic recovery nationwide.

The projects extend Saudi support for Yemen under directives from Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, with follow-up by Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman.

In a post on the X platform, Prince Khalid stated that the support delivered through the Saudi Program for the Development and Reconstruction of Yemen (SDRPY) reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening security and stability and contributing to a better future for Yemen and its people.

Prince Khalid met on Wednesday with Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Chairman Dr. Rashad al-Alimi, members of the council, the Prime Minister, and the Minister of State and Governor of Aden, for talks on fraternal ties between their countries.

The meeting discussed developments in Yemen and efforts aimed at ending the crisis through a comprehensive political settlement to achieve security and stability. It underscored the importance of continuing work on the future of the southern issue through the upcoming Riyadh conference to reach an inclusive vision for fair solutions.

Al-Alimi described the meeting with Prince Khalid as productive, saying it addressed national developments and Saudi Arabia’s promising support within a strategic partnership that meets the aspirations of the Yemeni people to restore state institutions, security, stability, and peace.

In a post on X, al-Alimi stated that the development projects represent a cornerstone for recovery and reconstruction, and a prelude to broader programs aimed at improving services and livelihoods, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s strong commitment to supporting the Yemeni state at all levels.

He expressed deep gratitude and appreciation to Saudi Arabia’s leadership for its steadfast positions alongside the Yemeni people and their political leadership at all stages.

The new package includes petroleum derivatives to operate power plants across Yemen, which is expected to improve the reliability of electricity supply to hospitals, medical centers, roads, schools, airports, ports, and other facilities, as well as support industrial activity and boost trade.

The SDRPY will begin operating the King Salman Medical and Educational City in Al-Mahra after completion of all construction works and full equipment installation, strengthening Yemen’s health sector.

The interim capital Aden will also receive development projects and initiatives, including the continued operation of Prince Mohammed bin Salman Hospital for the next three years.

The program will establish Yemen’s first desalination plant to help achieve water security and improve access to fresh water.

It will launch the second and third phases of the Aden airport rehabilitation project, including the rebuilding of the runway and the provision of navigation and communications systems, to enhance passenger services, enable international and domestic airlines to operate flights, and support economic and commercial activity.

Among the key projects is the completion of the final section of the expansion and rehabilitation of the Al Abr road, covering the Ghuwayrban to Al Makhtham stretch, following the completion of the first and second phases, totaling 90 km in Marib.

Work will also begin to rehabilitate the Al Abr to Seiyun road in Hadhramaut to boost safe mobility and support trade and economic activity.

The package also includes boosting electricity capacity through the construction of a 30 megawatt power plant in Taiz, supporting service continuity, operating Al-Mokha Hospital to ensure the continued delivery of medical services, and a project to build, expand, and upgrade the coastal road and its related intersections to promote economic and social development.


Saudi Arabia Welcomes US Designation of 3 Muslim Brotherhood Branches as Terrorist 

This 2011 photo shows a Muslim Brotherhood office in Amman, Jordan. (AFP)
This 2011 photo shows a Muslim Brotherhood office in Amman, Jordan. (AFP)
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Saudi Arabia Welcomes US Designation of 3 Muslim Brotherhood Branches as Terrorist 

This 2011 photo shows a Muslim Brotherhood office in Amman, Jordan. (AFP)
This 2011 photo shows a Muslim Brotherhood office in Amman, Jordan. (AFP)

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed on Wednesday the United States' designation of the Muslim Brotherhood branches in Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon as terrorist organizations.

The ministry stressed the Kingdom’s condemnation of extremism and terrorism, its support for all that achieves security, stability, and prosperity of Arab countries, and the security of the region and the world.