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.



GCC Condemns Terrorist Houthi Attack against Saudi Arabia

GCC Secretary General Jasem Albudaiwi. (GCC)
GCC Secretary General Jasem Albudaiwi. (GCC)
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GCC Condemns Terrorist Houthi Attack against Saudi Arabia

GCC Secretary General Jasem Albudaiwi. (GCC)
GCC Secretary General Jasem Albudaiwi. (GCC)

The Gulf Cooperation Council strongly condemned on Monday the terrorist Houthi attack with ballistic missiles against the Southern Region in Saudi Arabia.

GCC Secretary General Jasem Albudaiwi stressed that the “cowardly attack is a flagrant violation of international law and international humanitarian law.”

It reflects the Houthi militia’s “insistence on undermining security and stability and threatening the safety of civilians and installations.”

He called for a “firm and deterrent international stance to put an end to its hostile practices and ensure those responsible are held accountable.”

He said that the security of Saudi Arabia “is an integral part of the security of the GCC member states, and that the Council stands as one with the Kingdom in all measures it takes to protect its security, stability, and the safety of its citizens and residents on its territory.”


UAE: Two Iranian Missiles Struck Oil Tankers in Strait of Hormuz

TOPSHOT - This picture shows ships sailing near the Strait of Hormuz off the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates at Khor Fakkan on July 13, 2026. (Photo by AFP) /
TOPSHOT - This picture shows ships sailing near the Strait of Hormuz off the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates at Khor Fakkan on July 13, 2026. (Photo by AFP) /
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UAE: Two Iranian Missiles Struck Oil Tankers in Strait of Hormuz

TOPSHOT - This picture shows ships sailing near the Strait of Hormuz off the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates at Khor Fakkan on July 13, 2026. (Photo by AFP) /
TOPSHOT - This picture shows ships sailing near the Strait of Hormuz off the eastern coast of the United Arab Emirates at Khor Fakkan on July 13, 2026. (Photo by AFP) /

The UAE Defense Ministry said early on Tuesday that two UAE-flagged vessels, Mombasa and Al Bahiyah, were targeted by two Iranian cruise missiles while transiting the southern lane of the Strait of Hormuz in Omani territorial waters.

The ministry added that one Indian crew member was killed and eight others were wounded in the latest escalation in the strategic waterway.

The ministry condemned the attack as a serious violation and a clear breach of international law that threatens regional security and stability. It said the UAE reserved the right to respond to the escalation and to take all necessary measures to protect its territory, citizens and residents, safeguard its sovereignty, security and stability, and defend its national interests.

The ministry said it remained on high alert and fully prepared to deal with any threats, adding that it was taking all necessary measures to counter any attempts to undermine the country's security and stability. It urged the public to rely on official sources for information and to refrain from circulating rumors or unverified reports.


Saudi Foreign Minister Holds Phone Call with Italian Counterpart

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Foreign Minister (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Foreign Minister (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Holds Phone Call with Italian Counterpart

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Foreign Minister (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Foreign Minister (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held a telephone call with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy Antonio Tajani, the Saudi Press Agency reported Monday.

The call reviewed relations and ways to strengthen them. The two ministers also discussed regional developments, the importance of maritime security and freedom of navigation, and international efforts to implement the two-state solution and achieve a just and lasting peace.