Saudi, Sudanese Naval Forces Complete 'Al-Fulk 4' Drill Preparations

Saudi, Sudanese Naval Forces Complete New Drill Preparations  - Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi, Sudanese Naval Forces Complete New Drill Preparations - Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi, Sudanese Naval Forces Complete 'Al-Fulk 4' Drill Preparations

Saudi, Sudanese Naval Forces Complete New Drill Preparations  - Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi, Sudanese Naval Forces Complete New Drill Preparations - Asharq Al-Awsat

The Royal Saudi Naval Forces, represented by the Western Fleet and the Sudanese Naval Forces, have completed preparations for joint naval exercises “Al-Fulk 4” to be held at King Faisal Naval Base in Jeddah.

The Sudanese Naval Forces units participating in the drill arrived at King Faisal Naval Base on Thursday and were received by a number of officers of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces' Western Fleet.

Al-Fulk 4 will be attended by marines, Special Navy Security Units, and an elite group of navy drill instructors.

It is noteworthy that the Royal Saudi Naval Forces and its Sudanese counterpart started the first joint exercise “Al-Fulk 1” in 2013 at Port Sudan, which is located in the eastern part of the North African country.

The Saudi Royal Navy completed all preparations for the launch of the joint maritime exercise dubbed Confrontation 4 this Sunday.

This drill will see the participation of units from the Eastern Fleet, the Interior Ministry’s border guard, the Presidency of State Security, and the Energy Ministry.

The Energy Ministry will be represented by Saudi Aramco and the Aramco Gulf Operations Company.

Taking place at the King Abdulaziz Naval Base in Jubail, the five-day drill will work to raise the combat readiness of all participating units.

Boosting combat preparedness will help these units confront future terrorist attacks targeting vital oil installations in the kingdom.

The drill also promotes cooperation, communication and coordination among participants.



Saudi Arabia Condemns Riots Targeting UAE Embassy in Damascus

Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Riots Targeting UAE Embassy in Damascus

Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Arabia called for the protection of diplomatic missions. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia condemned on Sunday the riots, assaults, and attempted vandalism that targeted the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates and the residence of its head of mission in Damascus.

A Foreign Ministry statement said the Kingdom also slammed the “unacceptable offenses directed at the national symbols of the brotherly UAE.”

The ministry stressed the Kingdom’s “rejection of these attacks and all forms of violence against diplomats, stressing the need to ensure the protection of diplomats and diplomatic missions in line with relevant international laws and conventions.”

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi also slammed the attack against the UAE embassy in Damascus, urging Syrian authorities to hold those responsible to account.


Oman, Iran Hold Talks on Strait of Hormuz

Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
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Oman, Iran Hold Talks on Strait of Hormuz

Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)
Traffic passing a huge political billboard reading in Persian "The Strait of Hormuz will remain closed", in Enghelb square in Tehran, Iran, 05 April 2026. (EPA)

Oman and Iran held talks on easing passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the Omani state news agency reported Sunday, with the key shipping chokepoint effectively closed due to war in the Middle East.

"Oman and Iran held a meeting at the deputy ministers level in the foreign ministries of the two countries, with the attendance of specialists from both sides, during which the possible options were discussed regarding ensuring the smooth passage through the Strait of Hormuz," the news agency posted on X.

"The experts from both sides put forward a number of visions and proposals regarding it," it added.


Saudi Defenses Intercept and Destroy Cruise Missile

The Ministry of Defense reiterated the readiness of its forces to deal with various threats. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)
The Ministry of Defense reiterated the readiness of its forces to deal with various threats. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)
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Saudi Defenses Intercept and Destroy Cruise Missile

The Ministry of Defense reiterated the readiness of its forces to deal with various threats. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)
The Ministry of Defense reiterated the readiness of its forces to deal with various threats. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)

Saudi Defense Ministry spokesperson Turki Al-Malki said on Sunday that the Kingdom's defenses shot down a cruise missile in recent hours.

The interception process was successful, he added.

The Ministry of Defense reiterated the readiness of its forces to deal with various threats to ensure the security of the Kingdom and the safety of its territories.