Houthi Escalation, Attack against Saudi Universities Draw Condemnation

The Arab coalition shot down several Houthi drones fired at the Kingdom.
The Arab coalition shot down several Houthi drones fired at the Kingdom.
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Houthi Escalation, Attack against Saudi Universities Draw Condemnation

The Arab coalition shot down several Houthi drones fired at the Kingdom.
The Arab coalition shot down several Houthi drones fired at the Kingdom.

Several countries and organizations condemned on Thursday the escalation by the Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen against Saudi Arabia.

Earlier in the day, the Saudi-led Arab coalition and air defenses intercepted and destroyed eight armed drones fired by the militias towards universities in Jizan and Najran.

Bahrain slammed the Houthis for their continued attacks against the Kingdom, saying they are a flagrant violation of international laws.

The Foreign Ministry expressed Manama’s solidarity with Saudi Arabia and all the measures it takes to protect its security, stability and territories. It urged the international community to stand against these heinous attacks that go against Saudi Arabia’s sincere efforts to resolve the Yemeni crisis and reach a comprehensive political solution in line with the initiative it announced on Monday.

The United Arab Emirates strongly condemned Houthi attack.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said the ongoing terrorist attacks by the militias reflect their blatant disregard for the international community and all international laws and norms.

The Ministry urged the international community to take an immediate and decisive stance to stop these recurrent acts, which target critical infrastructure and threaten the security and stability of the Kingdom, as well as global energy supplies. It also stressed that the continued threat of these attacks in recent days is a grave escalation that represents new evidence of this militias’ attempts to undermine security and stability in the region.

It renewed the UAE's full solidarity with Saudi Arabia against these terrorist acts and its unwavering commitment to opposing any threat to its security and stability, confirming its support for any measures the Kingdom may take to preserve the safety of its citizens and residents.

"The security of the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is indivisible, and any threat facing the Kingdom is considered a threat to the UAE's security and stability," the Ministry stressed.

Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr. Yousef bin Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, strongly condemned the hostile escalation of the terrorist Houthis against the Kingdom.

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Dr. Nayef al-Hajraf condemned the Houthi attack. He remarked that the Houthis persist in these attacks in spite of the Kingdom’s announcement of a new peace initiative for Yemen.

The escalation reflects the flagrant challenge of the Houthi terrorist militias to the international community and their disregard for all international laws and norms, he added. This demands that the international community take an immediate and decisive stance to stop these continued terrorist acts.

He underscored the solidarity the GCC with Saudi Arabia in whatever measures it takes to defend its territories and preserve the safety of its citizens and residents.



Riyadh Consultations Intensify to Ensure Success of Southern Yemen Dialogue

Member of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Abdulrahman Al-Muharrami during the meeting in Riyadh on Sunday. (Al-Muharrami's office)
Member of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Abdulrahman Al-Muharrami during the meeting in Riyadh on Sunday. (Al-Muharrami's office)
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Riyadh Consultations Intensify to Ensure Success of Southern Yemen Dialogue

Member of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Abdulrahman Al-Muharrami during the meeting in Riyadh on Sunday. (Al-Muharrami's office)
Member of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Abdulrahman Al-Muharrami during the meeting in Riyadh on Sunday. (Al-Muharrami's office)

Member of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Abdulrahman Al-Muharrami held in Riyadh on Sunday an expanded meeting with a delegation from southern Yemen as part of efforts to ensure the success of the upcoming intra-southern dialogue.

The meeting was the latest in consultations dedicated to preparing the dialogue.

The dialogue will be sponsored by Saudi Arabia. Circles in Yemen, the region and international community are banking on its success, hoping that it will help shape the future of southern Yemen based on a vision approved by the southerners themselves without excluding any party.

Al-Muharrami stressed the importance of preparing the right political and societal climate inside Yemen to hold the dialogue in order to build trust and create rapprochement between different southern components.

He hoped the serious dialogue would lead to national agreements that serve the southern cause and meet the aspirations of the people.

During the meeting, he listened to proposals related to the dialogue and requirements for its success.

Al-Muharrami said the dialogue must “bolster southern ranks, preserve national gains, and strengthen unified positions.”

The people of the south have the right to determine their fate and choose their political future, he added.

Saudi Arabia continues to support the people of the south based on its keenness on bolstering stability and agreement, he went on to say.

The gatherers on Sunday stressed the importance of maintaining consultations and coordination to pave the way for the dialogue.

They expressed their appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s efforts in supporting Yemen on the political, economic and services level and its role in bolstering security and stability in the south, Yemen as a whole and the region.


Italy, GCC Sign MoU to Bolster Cooperation

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi and Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani at the MoU signing ceremony. (GCC)
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi and Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani at the MoU signing ceremony. (GCC)
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Italy, GCC Sign MoU to Bolster Cooperation

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi and Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani at the MoU signing ceremony. (GCC)
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi and Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani at the MoU signing ceremony. (GCC)

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi and Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani signed in Rome on Monday a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that aims to bolster cooperation and coordination frameworks between them.

The MoU also expands partnership areas across several sectors of common interest, helping in supporting political dialogue, exchanging expertise, and developing joint action mechanisms.

"Relations between the GCC member states and Italy are witnessing continuous development across various fields, driven by their close ties and mutual interests," said Albudaiwi.

He added that both sides are keen on elevating ties toward broader horizons to serve common interests and boost security, stability, and development.

The GCC and Italian officials hold talks in Rome on Monday. (GCC)

They hoped that the MoU would lead to opening new horizons for cooperation and cementing communication and coordination between them to achieve their common aspirations for further cooperation and prosperity.

Earlier, Albudaiwi and Tajani held talks on GCC-Italy relations and proposals and initiatives aimed at boosting economic ties and the growth of trade and investment exchange.

They also discussed the latest regional and international developments.

They stressed the importance of promoting dialogue and coordination, as well as backing efforts aimed at consolidating security and stability.

Albudaiwi expressed his gratitude for Italy's stance in support of the GCC member states and its condemnation of the Iranian attacks that targeted Gulf countries during the recent conflict.

Italy’s position reflects its commitment to consolidating the existing partnership between the two sides, he remarked.


Saudi Arabia Rejects Anything that Undermines Somalia’s Security

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (SPA file)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (SPA file)
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Saudi Arabia Rejects Anything that Undermines Somalia’s Security

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (SPA file)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (SPA file)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received on Monday a phone call from his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot to discuss regional developments.

They also tackled joint efforts to support security and stability.

Earlier, Prince Faisal held telephone talks with his Somali counterpart Abdisalam Abdi Ali to review bilateral ties.

They underscored the sovereignty of Somalia over its entire territory, rejected anything that undermines its security and stability.

They stressed the importance of making every effort to ensure the security of international waterways and freedom of navigation.