Saudi Arabia, US Kick off Military Drill in Gulf

Saudi Arabia and the US kick off a joint naval drill in the Gulf. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia and the US kick off a joint naval drill in the Gulf. (SPA)
TT

Saudi Arabia, US Kick off Military Drill in Gulf

Saudi Arabia and the US kick off a joint naval drill in the Gulf. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia and the US kick off a joint naval drill in the Gulf. (SPA)

The mixed maritime “Nautical Defender 21” exercise between Royal Saudi Naval Forces and the United States Navy kicked off on Thursday at King Abdulaziz Naval Base (KANB) at the Eastern Fleet in Jubail.

The drill, which is being held in Gulf waters, will also see the participation of a British minesweeper.

Commander of the Eastern Fleet Vice Admiral Majed bin Hazza Al-Qahtani will oversee the exercise.

The two-week drill aims to raise combat readiness and expand maritime security cooperation between the two forces, by strengthening maritime security, ensuring protection of territorial waters and exchanging combat experiences.

The exercise is being held amid heightened tensions in the region and threats to marine waterways, underlining the need for coordination between navies in the area.



Muslim World League Condemns Colombia’s Opening of an Embassy in Occupied Jerusalem

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

Muslim World League Condemns Colombia’s Opening of an Embassy in Occupied Jerusalem

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

The Muslim World League (MWL) has condemned the Colombian government’s decision to open an “embassy” in occupied Jerusalem, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

In a statement issued by its General Secretariat, MWL Secretary-General and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars, Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa, denounced the move, saying it contradicts the international consensus on Jerusalem’s legal and historical status and violates relevant international laws and resolutions.

Al-Issa reaffirmed the MWL’s unequivocal rejection of any measures seeking to entrench an unlawful reality in occupied Jerusalem or legitimize entities or arrangements that contravene international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.


Bahrain Condemns Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia, Urges Decisive Security Council Measures

A view of Bahrain's capital Manama. (Getty Images)
A view of Bahrain's capital Manama. (Getty Images)
TT

Bahrain Condemns Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia, Urges Decisive Security Council Measures

A view of Bahrain's capital Manama. (Getty Images)
A view of Bahrain's capital Manama. (Getty Images)

Bahrain strongly condemned on Wednesday continued attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi terrorist militia on civilian, economic, and vital facilities in Saudi Arabia.

A Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement denounced the militia's missile and drone launches toward Riyadh, Dhahran, Khamis Mushait and other areas, describing them as “a dangerous escalation, a flagrant violation of international law, international humanitarian law and the UN Charter, and a threat to civilian lives and regional security and stability.”

The ministry reaffirmed Bahrain's “full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and its full support for all measures that Saudi Arabia takes to safeguard its sovereignty, security and stability and protect citizens and residents.”

Bahrain underscored Saudi Arabia's inherent right to self-defense under Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations.

It stressed that Saudi Arabia's security and stability are integral to Bahrain's security and that of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.

The statement reiterated Bahrain's call for the United Nations Security Council to take decisive measures to halt repeated Houthi terrorist attacks targeting civilians and civilian objects in Saudi Arabia, hold those responsible and their supporters accountable.

It urged it to ensure the implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions, thereby protecting civilians, ensuring the safety and security of air and maritime navigation, safeguarding energy supplies and global trade, and preserving regional and international peace and security.


Saudi FM Receives Phone Call from Italian Counterpart Condemning Houthi Attacks on Kingdom

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
TT

Saudi FM Receives Phone Call from Italian Counterpart Condemning Houthi Attacks on Kingdom

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received on Wednesday a telephone call from his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani, who expressed his country's condemnation of the brutal Houthi attacks against the Kingdom.

He underlined Italy's solidarity with the Kingdom and support for the measures it takes to safeguard its security.

He also underscored his country's gratitude to the Saudi authorities for their efforts to ensure the safety of residents in the Kingdom, including Italian nationals.

The FMs discussed regional and international developments and efforts to ensure the safety and freedom of maritime navigation through the Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb Straits, facilitating the smooth flow of international trade and preserving regional security and stability.