Houthi Attacks on Jazan Draw International, Arab Condemnation

Drone used by Houthis in Yemen against Saudi-led coalition forces. (File photo: AFP)
Drone used by Houthis in Yemen against Saudi-led coalition forces. (File photo: AFP)
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Houthi Attacks on Jazan Draw International, Arab Condemnation

Drone used by Houthis in Yemen against Saudi-led coalition forces. (File photo: AFP)
Drone used by Houthis in Yemen against Saudi-led coalition forces. (File photo: AFP)

The Iranian-backed Houthi militias’ attack on civilians in Saudi Arabia's Jazan was strongly condemned by the international community and several Arab and Islamic countries.

The Saudi Royal Air Defense Forces managed to intercept and destroy drones and ballistic missiles launched by the terrorist militias.

Egypt, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan strongly condemned the Houthi systematic terrorist Houthi attacks. They affirmed their solidarity and support to Saudi Arabia in all the measures it takes to preserve its security and stability.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) expressed its strong condemnation of the Houthi terrorist militia targeting civilians and civilian objects in Jazan.

Secretary-General of the OIC Yousef al-Othaimeen asserted that attempts by the Houthi militias and those who finance them and provide them with arms to target civilian objects are acts of hostile escalation that are considered war crimes.

The Arab Parliament also issued a statement condemning the attacks, indicating that the ongoing escalation and targeting of civilians in Saudi Arabia reflect the Houthis' challenge of the international law and rejection for all the political efforts to end the crisis in Yemen.



The Parliament reiterated its support for Saudi Arabia on the measures taken to protect the safety and security of its lands, adding that the security of the Kingdom is fundamental for the Arab national security.

For its part, the Arab Interior Ministers Council condemned these terrorist acts and systematic hostile practices carried out by the Houthi militia, which represent war crimes that must be stopped and held accountable.



It renewed its full support and solidarity with Saudi Arabia in all measures it takes to deter these attacks, defend its security and protect its territories.



The Council commended the roles of the Royal Saudi Air Defense and the Coalition forces in confronting these threats and all attempts aimed at undermining the security and stability of the Kingdom and the safety of its citizens and residents.



Saudi Arabia Ranks 1st Regionally, 9th Globally and 6th in G20 in Geospatial Field

A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Nov. 15, 2024. (Reuters)
A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Nov. 15, 2024. (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Ranks 1st Regionally, 9th Globally and 6th in G20 in Geospatial Field

A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Nov. 15, 2024. (Reuters)
A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Nov. 15, 2024. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia, represented by the General Authority for Survey and Geospatial Information (GEOSA), has significantly advanced its geospatial knowledge infrastructure readiness by moving from the 32nd place in 2022 to ninth in the 2025 Geospatial Knowledge Infrastructure (GKI) Readiness Index. It ranked first in the Middle East and Arab world, and 6th among G20 nations.

The announcement was made during the first day of the Geospatial World Forum 2025, held in Madrid from April 22 to 25.

The GKI Readiness Index, developed by Geospatial World, is a strategic framework supported by the United Nations Statistics Division that aims to compare the readiness of countries in adopting geospatial knowledge and how their progress on the index promotes economic growth, sustainable development and digital transformation, said a GEOSA statement.

The GKI Readiness Index was built on several axes. The Kingdom ranked sixth globally in the policy axis through its pioneering experience in the governance of the national geospatial data system and the preparation of its policies, standards and specifications in accordance with international best practices.

It ranked seventh globally in the infrastructure axis for its pivotal role in unifying national efforts related to geospatial information, including building the national geospatial platform that represents the window of the national geospatial infrastructure available to benefit the public and private sectors, in addition to the academia, the non-profit sector, and individuals.

The Kingdom ranked eighth in the geospatial industry axis, which highlights its constructive role in building strategic partnerships in all sectors.

The Kingdom's progress in this index reflects the unlimited support given to the survey and geospatial information sector by the wise Saudi leadership and the minister of defense and chairman of GEOSA Board of Directors.

This support has led to the Kingdom assuming a leading position at the regional and global levels in the forefront of its peers among developed countries in the geospatial field. This progress also led to Riyadh being chosen as the headquarters for the United Nations Global Geospatial Ecosystem Center of Excellence, positioning the Kingdom as a global leader in innovative geospatial information management.

‏The GEOSA works, according to its mandate, to organize the survey, geospatial information and imaging sector in the Kingdom, including the adoption and development of the national geospatial infrastructure, and the establishment of basic and guiding standards and controls related to the sector to achieve the integrated use of the geospatial information system among all the stakeholders.