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.



Indian PM: ‘Economic Corridor’ Is the New Silk Route of the 21st Century

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi in September 2023. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi in September 2023. (SPA)
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Indian PM: ‘Economic Corridor’ Is the New Silk Route of the 21st Century

Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi in September 2023. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, meets with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi in September 2023. (SPA)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC), launched in 2023, will define the future of connectivity in all forms for centuries to come and will become the key catalyst of commerce, connectivity and growth in the entire region.

“It can be the new Silk Route of the 21st century that will bring benefit to the generations to come,” Modi said in an interview with Arab News ahead of his third visit to Saudi Arabia since 2016.

The PM is traveling on Tuesday to the Kingdom, where he will hold talks with Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on commercial and investment relations in addition to the energy sector.

“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of India’s most valued partners — a maritime neighbor, a trusted friend and a strategic ally,” Modi said, emphasizing how bilateral relations had expanded significantly since the creation of the Strategic Partnership Council in 2019.

The PM said India and Saudi Arabia will keep moving forward together — for peace, progress and prosperity, “not just for our people, but for the entire world.”

“We consider Saudi Arabia as a force of positivity and stability in the region. As maritime neighbors, India and Saudi Arabia share a natural interest in safeguarding peace and stability in the region,” Modi affirmed.

The PM said he sees several complementarities between Saudi Vision 2030 and India’s Viksit Bharat 2047 (Developed India 2047 initiative).

Modi said trade between the two countries had grown even amid global challenges, with energy, agriculture and fertilizers as key sectors, noting that the two countries are working on a Bilateral Investment Treaty.

He stressed that Indian businesses and Saudi industry are building stronger connections, which is boosting the investment partnership, particularly in the sectors of agriculture and fertilizers.

Energy has been an important pillar of Saudi Arabia and India’s economic partnership, Modi continued.

Both countries are exploring joint projects in refineries and petrochemicals and can work toward innovative solutions for future energy needs, he added.

According to the Prime Minister, Indian companies have maintained a strong presence across various sectors in Saudi Arabia and are playing a crucial role in the realization of Saudi Vision 2030.

At the same time, he invited Saudi companies to take advantage of the remarkable opportunities in India as part of the Viksit Bharat journey, by participating in the growth of India’s next-generation infrastructure, logistics, renewable energy, healthcare, utilities, innovation, start-ups and “blue economy” sectors.

At the security level, Modi said India and Saudi Arabia have seen steady progress in security cooperation.

“This includes areas such as counterterrorism, combating extremism, disrupting terror financing and tackling drug trafficking. We are also exploring new frontiers of cooperation in cybersecurity, recognizing its growing importance in today’s interconnected world,” he said.

Concerning bilateral relations between the leaderships of both countries, Modi praised Crown Prince Mohammed’s leadership, calling him “a strong advocate of our bilateral ties.

“Every time I have met him, His Royal Highness has left a deep impression on me. His insights, his forward-thinking vision, and his passion for fulfilling the aspirations of his people are truly remarkable,” he said.

At the cultural level, Modi said growing cultural connect between Saudi Arabia and India is indicative of the understanding and appreciation for each other.

“The 2.7 million vibrant Indian community in Saudi Arabia is a living bridge connecting our two countries. I commend them for not only preserving their values and traditions, but also promoting them,” he remarked.

As far as religious tourism is concerned, Modi said India has a large Muslim population that visits the Kingdom each year for Umrah and Hajj pilgrimage. “We are grateful to the Saudi leadership for the continued assistance provided to Indian pilgrims,” he stressed.