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.



Qatar Declares Iran’s Security, Military Attache as Persona Non Grata

A photograph shows Doha's skyline on March 10, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
A photograph shows Doha's skyline on March 10, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
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Qatar Declares Iran’s Security, Military Attache as Persona Non Grata

A photograph shows Doha's skyline on March 10, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
A photograph shows Doha's skyline on March 10, 2026. (Photo by AFP)

Qatar has declared the security and military attache in Iran's embassy as "persona non grata,” asking them ⁠to leave the ⁠country within a period of maximum ⁠24 hours, the foreign ministry said on Wednesday.

Doha attributed the decision to Iran's repeated attacks on the ⁠country, ⁠the latest of which targeted Qatar's Rass Laffan industrial city.

The decision was announced during a meeting between the ministry’s Director of Protocol, Ibrahim Yousif Fakhro, and Iran’s Ambassador Ali Salehabadi.

The ministry warned that “the continuation of this hostile approach by the Iranian side will be met with additional measures” by Qatar.

It reaffirmed that Doha “reserves the right to take all necessary measures to protect its sovereignty and security, in accordance with the provisions of international law.”


GCC Chief Discusses Iranian Aggression against Council States with EU Gulf Envoy

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.
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GCC Chief Discusses Iranian Aggression against Council States with EU Gulf Envoy

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi.

GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi received European Union (EU) Special Representative for the Gulf Region Luigi Di Maio on Wednesday at the general secretariat’s headquarters in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency said Thursday.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed the grave Iranian attacks on the GCC states, describing them as a blatant threat to regional and international security. They noted that the attacks have caused loss of life and significant material damage, directly endangering civilian safety and security.

The GCC secretary-general reaffirmed the provisions of the joint statement issued by the GCC-EU Joint Ministerial Meeting regarding the Iranian attacks on council states.

He emphasized the vital importance of maintaining the integrity of regional airspace, sea lanes, and the freedom of navigation—including the Strait of Hormuz and Bab El-Mandeb—to ensure the security of supply chains and the stability of global energy markets.

For his part, the EU special representative expressed the solidarity of EU member states with the GCC. He strongly denounced the repeated Iranian aggression against the council states and their negative impact on the security and stability of the region.


Saudi Arabia Welcomes Temporary Truce between Pakistan and Afghanistan

Ambulances carrying the bodies of victims killed in a Pakistani airstrike on a drug rehabilitation center, make their way to the Badam Bagh Hilltop for a funeral and mass burial in Kabul on March 18, 2026. (AFP)
Ambulances carrying the bodies of victims killed in a Pakistani airstrike on a drug rehabilitation center, make their way to the Badam Bagh Hilltop for a funeral and mass burial in Kabul on March 18, 2026. (AFP)
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Saudi Arabia Welcomes Temporary Truce between Pakistan and Afghanistan

Ambulances carrying the bodies of victims killed in a Pakistani airstrike on a drug rehabilitation center, make their way to the Badam Bagh Hilltop for a funeral and mass burial in Kabul on March 18, 2026. (AFP)
Ambulances carrying the bodies of victims killed in a Pakistani airstrike on a drug rehabilitation center, make their way to the Badam Bagh Hilltop for a funeral and mass burial in Kabul on March 18, 2026. (AFP)

Saudi Arabia welcomed on Wednesday the temporary truce agreement reached between Pakistan and Afghanistan on the advent of Eid Al-Fitr.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said: “The Kingdom appreciates the willingness of both parties to respond to the calls made by the Kingdom, Qatar, and Türkiye to implement this truce.”

“It emphasizes that prioritizing dialogue and peaceful solutions is the most effective means to resolve ongoing disputes,” it added.

“The Kingdom reaffirms its commitment to continuing tireless diplomatic efforts, in collaboration with brotherly and friendly nations, to achieve peace, security, and stability in the region,” it said.

Pakistan and Afghanistan on Wednesday announced a halt in fighting during celebrations for the end of Ramadan, after the deadliest strike in their escalating conflict killed hundreds in Kabul earlier this week.

Pakistan's information minister, Attaullah Tarar, said the government agreed to a halt to its operations from Thursday to Monday "in good faith and in keeping with the Islamic norms".

Taliban government spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said defending Afghanistan was "a national and religious obligation" and they would respond to any aggression or threat.

Tarar said: "In case of any cross-border attack, drone attack or any terrorist incident inside Pakistan, (operations) shall immediately resume with renewed intensity."