Saudi Govt Slams Houthi Attack on Abha Airport as War Crime

King Salman chairs a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. (SPA)
King Salman chairs a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Govt Slams Houthi Attack on Abha Airport as War Crime

King Salman chairs a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. (SPA)
King Salman chairs a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. (SPA)

The Saudi government slammed as a war crime on Tuesday the Iran-backed Houthi militias’ repeated attempts to target Abha International Airport.

The two attempts were deliberate and an extension of the militias’ hostile acts that have targeted travelers and workers at the facility, it added.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chaired the cabinet meeting that was held virtually amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The cabinet stressed the need to take the necessary measures that ensure the security of civilians and civilian locations in line with international humanitarian law.

The ministers also reviewed the latest talks held between Saudi Arabia and several countries in recent days that were aimed at strengthening cooperation in various fields and coordination over regional and international issues.

King Salman briefed the ministers on the telephone talks he held with Tunisian President Kais Saied. King Salman underscored the Kingdom’s keenness on the security and stability of Tunisia, saying it stands by it as it grapples with the pandemic.

The government reviewed various regional and international developments. It reiterated the Kingdom’s firm longstanding stance of supporting peace and stability in Afghanistan.

It stressed the need to speed up efforts to reach a comprehensive solution to its crisis, calling on the international community to support emergency relief aid efforts.

Locally, the ministers followed up on the resumption of the new academic year and efforts to ensure that students, faculty and staff are protected against the coronavirus.



Saudi King Orders Hosting 1,000 Palestinian Pilgrims from Affected Families

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
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Saudi King Orders Hosting 1,000 Palestinian Pilgrims from Affected Families

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has issued directives to host 1,000 Palestinian pilgrims from the families of prisoners, and those killed or wounded in the Gaza war at his own expense to perform Hajj this year.

The directives come as part of the Saudi King’s Guests Program for Hajj, Umrah, and Visit, implemented by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance, said the Saudi Press Agency on Monday.

Sheikh Abdullatif Al Sheikh, Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance and General Supervisor of the program expressed his gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for this generous gesture.

He said it reflects the Kingdom’s adamant care and its wise leadership’s commitment to supporting the Palestinian people and strengthening the bonds of Islamic brotherhood.

Al Sheikh said the initiative reflects the Saudi leadership’s determination to facilitate the performance of Hajj rituals for Palestinians. He noted that the ministry has immediately begun implementing a comprehensive plan to provide all necessary services and facilities to the Palestinian pilgrims, from the moment they depart their homeland until their return, within a fully integrated system during their stay in Makkah and Madinah.

He stated that since its inception in 1417 AH, the program has hosted more than 64,000 pilgrims from various countries, reflecting the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to serve Islam and Muslims and reinforce its status as the heart of the Islamic world and the Qibla of Muslims.