Saudi Arabia Mandates Vaccination Certificate

A boy receives a coronavirus vaccine shot in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A boy receives a coronavirus vaccine shot in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
TT

Saudi Arabia Mandates Vaccination Certificate

A boy receives a coronavirus vaccine shot in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A boy receives a coronavirus vaccine shot in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

The mandate for people to be vaccinated against COVID-19 will enter into force next Sunday in Saudi Arabia, making a vaccination certificate mandatory for accessing workplaces and businesses and attending social events and gatherings.

The Ministry of Interior stated that the decision, approved by the Ministry of Health, will be effective as of August 1.

A statement published by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said that a vaccination certificate available through the dedicated Tawakulna application will be necessary to access to any economic, commercial, cultural, recreational or sports events, or any governmental or private facility, or any educational institution.

Such important decision will effectively contribute to enhancing efforts in combating the pandemic and protecting lives, in addition to the gradual return of activities, it added.

The Ministry of Interior reiterated its call on the Saudi citizens and residents to comply with the precautionary and preventive measures, such as social distancing, wearing a mask, frequently washing hands and adhering to the approved protocols.

The Ministry of Health announced on Monday that 1,252 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the Kingdom, bringing the total to 519,395, including 10,788 active cases.

Moreover, 1,299 cases have recovered, raising the number to 500,428.

Meanwhile, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) delivered medical aid to the Uruguay to combat the pandemic. The aid included 53 artificial respirators and 2.3 million masks for surgical operations, in addition to protective clothing, masks medical gloves and other supplies.



New KSrelief Aid Convoy Crosses Rafah to Deliver Food Baskets to Gaza

The latest KSrelief convoy was carrying food baskets for the people of Gaza. (SPA)
The latest KSrelief convoy was carrying food baskets for the people of Gaza. (SPA)
TT

New KSrelief Aid Convoy Crosses Rafah to Deliver Food Baskets to Gaza

The latest KSrelief convoy was carrying food baskets for the people of Gaza. (SPA)
The latest KSrelief convoy was carrying food baskets for the people of Gaza. (SPA)

A new humanitarian aid convoy from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) crossed the Rafah border into Gaza on Friday with essential food baskets for Palestinians affected by the ongoing crisis, as part of the Saudi fundraising campaign to aid the Palestinian people.

The Saudi Center for Culture and Heritage, KSrelief’s implementing partner, has established several new camps in Al-Qarara area of southern Gaza and Al-Mawasi area of Khan Younis in preparation for winter.

Through these efforts, KSrelief aims to alleviate the severe suffering caused by the dire living conditions in Gaza, ensuring that vital food and shelter reach those in the most vulnerable areas.


Joint Military 'Gulf Shield Exercise 2026' Concludes in Saudi Arabia

Flags of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries at an event (AFP)
Flags of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries at an event (AFP)
TT

Joint Military 'Gulf Shield Exercise 2026' Concludes in Saudi Arabia

Flags of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries at an event (AFP)
Flags of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries at an event (AFP)

The joint military "Gulf Shield Exercise 2026" concluded in Saudi Arabia on Friday, with the participation of the air forces and air-defense forces of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, alongside the GCC Unified Military Command, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The exercise was conducted as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen regional defense cooperation and enhance combat readiness.

Its maneuvers included advanced operational scenarios featuring simulations of multidimensional air and missile threats, joint air maneuvers, and integrated field exercises, with a focus on improving operational integration, strengthening command-and-control systems, and enhancing operational efficiency within a joint operational environment.
The exercise seeks to develop qualitative military capabilities, bolster combat readiness to confront current, emerging, and future threats, and entrench the concepts of collective defense and flexible deterrence, thereby contributing to the region's security and stability.

Gulf Shield Exercise 2026 is regarded as one of the key pillars of military cooperation among GCC countries, reflecting ongoing efforts to enhance defense integration and strengthen the capacity to respond to regional and international challenges.

At the conclusion of the exercise, the participating forces carried out a joint aerial display that demonstrated a high level of harmony and operational integration, as well as their ability to plan and execute in accordance with unified operational concepts and advanced professional standards.


Saudi Arabia Expresses Deep Regret over Damage to Qatari Embassy in Kyiv

 Smoke rises in the city after Russian drone and missile strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine January 9, 2026. (Reuters)
Smoke rises in the city after Russian drone and missile strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine January 9, 2026. (Reuters)
TT

Saudi Arabia Expresses Deep Regret over Damage to Qatari Embassy in Kyiv

 Smoke rises in the city after Russian drone and missile strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine January 9, 2026. (Reuters)
Smoke rises in the city after Russian drone and missile strikes, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine January 9, 2026. (Reuters)

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed on Saturday the Kingdom’s deep regret over the damage sustained by the Qatari Embassy in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, as a result of recent shelling.

The ministry stressed the need to protect diplomatic missions and their personnel in line with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

The ministry reiterated the Kingdom's support for all diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the Russian-Ukrainian crisis through peaceful means.