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Kuwait Starts Covid-19 Jabs as Gulf Rolls out Mass Vaccinations

Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah on Saturday was the first person in the Gulf nation to receive a Covid-19 vaccine. (AFP)
Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah on Saturday was the first person in the Gulf nation to receive a Covid-19 vaccine. (AFP)
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Kuwait Starts Covid-19 Jabs as Gulf Rolls out Mass Vaccinations

Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah on Saturday was the first person in the Gulf nation to receive a Covid-19 vaccine. (AFP)
Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah on Saturday was the first person in the Gulf nation to receive a Covid-19 vaccine. (AFP)

Kuwait began coronavirus vaccinations on Thursday, following several other Gulf states in rolling out a mass inoculation campaign.

"This vaccine is safe and has been approved by many countries," said Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah, who was the first to receive the jab, state media reported.

Kuwait, which has officially confirmed more than 148,000 coronavirus cases including 924 deaths, received the first 150,000 doses of the vaccine developed by US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech on Wednesday.

Saudi Arabia, with more than 360,000 recorded cases including 6,148 deaths, began its campaign with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on December 17.

In Bahrain, which has recorded more than 90,000 cases including 350 deaths, vaccinations continued on Thursday. It has approved both the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and another developed by Chinese firm Sinopharm.

Officials in the capital Manama said that nearly 40,000 people have already received the vaccine.

In the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi began vaccinations on December 14 after approving the Sinopharm vaccine, while Dubai began its campaign using the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on Wednesday.

The UAE has confirmed nearly 200,000 cases, including 645 deaths.

Meanwhile, Oman, with more than 128,000 recorded cases, 1,491 of them fatal, is to launch its vaccination campaign on Sunday.

Qatar, which has confirmed more than 142,000 cases including 243 deaths, launched a vaccination campaign on Wednesday.

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Gulf

Saudi Arabia Condemns Cafe Bombing in Damascus

Saudi Arabia Condemns Cafe Bombing in Damascus
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Cafe Bombing in Damascus

Saudi Arabia Condemns Cafe Bombing in Damascus

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom's condemnation and denunciation of the bombing that targeted a cafe in the Hejaz district of the Syrian capital, Damascus, which resulted in the death and injury of a number of people.

The ministry stated in a press release: "The Kingdom affirms its solidarity with the brotherly Syrian Arab Republic against all forms of violence, extremism, and terrorism, and expresses its sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Syria, wishing the injured a speedy recovery."

Gulf

US Central Command Hosts Regional Security Dialogue in Bahrain

Participants pose for a family photo at the Bahrain conference. (CENTCOM)
Participants pose for a family photo at the Bahrain conference. (CENTCOM)
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US Central Command Hosts Regional Security Dialogue in Bahrain

Participants pose for a family photo at the Bahrain conference. (CENTCOM)
Participants pose for a family photo at the Bahrain conference. (CENTCOM)

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said it led a regional security dialogue hosted by the Bahrain Defense Force on Wednesday to discuss the regional security environment and ways to strengthen defense cooperation across the Middle East.

The Strategic Allied Military Dialogue brought together senior defense officials from 12 countries, who reaffirmed their shared commitment to ensuring the free flow of commerce through the Strait of Hormuz.

The meeting was attended by CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Coope and senior military officials from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

According to CENTCOM, Cooper said the United States “continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with our regional partners,” adding that the discussions underscored a shared commitment to regional security and stability.

The United States and regional partners operate the world’s most sophisticated and largest active air and missile defense umbrella across the Middle East. In January, CENTCOM and regional countries established a new Middle Eastern Air Defense coordination cell for sharing information and threat warnings as well as responding to contingencies.

Officials are seen at the conference in Bahrain. (BNA)

The security dialogue marked the first time military leaders from Syria and Lebanon participated in a regional defense conference led by the United States.

Speaking at the event, Bahraini Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Theyab bin Saqr Al Nuaimi said the region is experiencing rapid developments and profound geopolitical shifts following Iran’s “treacherous and criminal attacks” targeting national security, sovereignty, and civilian infrastructure.

Al Nuaimi said the region’s exceptional geopolitical and economic importance requires a clear understanding of current and future challenges and the development of comprehensive strategic solutions based on collective resolve.

Closer cooperation, greater cohesion, and stronger unity are essential to confronting regional threats with determination, he stressed.

Gulf

Bahrain's King Discusses Regional Security with CENTCOM Commander

Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa held talks with US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Admiral Brad Cooper.
Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa held talks with US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Admiral Brad Cooper.
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Bahrain's King Discusses Regional Security with CENTCOM Commander

Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa held talks with US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Admiral Brad Cooper.
Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa held talks with US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Admiral Brad Cooper.

Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa discussed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen cooperation, particularly in defense and military fields, during a meeting with US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander Admiral Brad Cooper.

The two sides underscored the importance of continued coordination and cooperation between the two countries to support regional and international security and stability.

The talks also covered regional and international developments, including the latest developments in the region, efforts to enhance security and stability, the Iranian attacks targeting the region, and other issues of mutual interest.

King Hamad praised the close ties and ongoing coordination between Bahrain and the United States, highlighting progress in bilateral cooperation, particularly in defense and military coordination.

He also commended the United States' pivotal role in safeguarding regional security and stability and promoting international peace.