11 Dead, Widespread Flooding as Cyclone Hits Oman

A picture taken on October 3, 2021, shows flooding in the Omani capital Muscat, as the Shaheen tropical storm hits the country. (Photo by MOHAMMED MAHJOUB / AFP)
A picture taken on October 3, 2021, shows flooding in the Omani capital Muscat, as the Shaheen tropical storm hits the country. (Photo by MOHAMMED MAHJOUB / AFP)
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11 Dead, Widespread Flooding as Cyclone Hits Oman

A picture taken on October 3, 2021, shows flooding in the Omani capital Muscat, as the Shaheen tropical storm hits the country. (Photo by MOHAMMED MAHJOUB / AFP)
A picture taken on October 3, 2021, shows flooding in the Omani capital Muscat, as the Shaheen tropical storm hits the country. (Photo by MOHAMMED MAHJOUB / AFP)

At least 11 people died after a powerful cyclone struck Oman causing widespread flooding and landslides, emergency authorities said on Monday.

Seven of the victims died in the Batinah region, the National Committee for Emergency Management said without giving details. More people are missing, it added.

A child swept away by flash flooding was among four deaths on Sunday, also including two Asian men who died when a building was hit by a landslip.

Tropical Cyclone Shaheen was downgraded to a tropical storm and then a tropical depression after making landfall north of the capital Muscat late on Sunday.

On Monday, Oman's air force used helicopters to winch stranded survivors to safety on the country's northern coast. A prisoner was rescued from a rooftop in Suwayq, police said.

Trees were felled and streets were flooded in many areas but Muscat was mainly back to normal and the civil aviation authority said the "direct effects" of Shaheen were over.

"During previous cyclones, the sultanate was not affected. Cyclone Shaheen had a direct impact, especially on Al-Batinah area," Muscat resident Mohammad al-Alawi told AFP.

Across the Gulf in Iran, six people were reported dead on Sunday while the United Arab Emirates, which borders Oman, was also put on alert.



Saudi FM Holds Separate Talks with Jordanian, Turkish Counterparts

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah looks on during a meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty (not pictured) at Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Cairo, Egypt, 05 January 2026. (EPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah looks on during a meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty (not pictured) at Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Cairo, Egypt, 05 January 2026. (EPA)
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Saudi FM Holds Separate Talks with Jordanian, Turkish Counterparts

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah looks on during a meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty (not pictured) at Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Cairo, Egypt, 05 January 2026. (EPA)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah looks on during a meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty (not pictured) at Waldorf Astoria Hotel in Cairo, Egypt, 05 January 2026. (EPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Kingdom of Jordan Ayman Safadi.

They discussed developments in the region and efforts made in this regard, SPA reported.

The Saudi FM also received a phone call from Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye Hakan Fidan.

During the call, they exchanged views on the latest regional developments.


Saudi Permanent Representative to Arab League Meets with Somali Counterpart

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
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Saudi Permanent Representative to Arab League Meets with Somali Counterpart

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT

Saudi Arabia's Permanent Representative to the Arab League Ambassador Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al-Matar met with Somalia's Ambassador to Egypt and Permanent Representative to the Arab League Ali Abdi Awari at the delegation’s headquarters in Cairo.

The meeting focused on reaffirming Somalia’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity, emphasizing the importance of preserving its stability and rejecting any attempts to impose parallel entities that undermine national unity, SPA reported.

The two sides also discussed issues of mutual interest within the framework of the Arab League.


Saudi Leadership Extends Condolences to Thailand over Victims of Crane Collapse on Train

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
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Saudi Leadership Extends Condolences to Thailand over Victims of Crane Collapse on Train

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)

The Saudi leadership extended condolences on Sunday to King of Thailand over the victims of a crane accident that fell onto a train in northeastern Thailand killing tens and injuring several.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques sent a cable to King of Thailand, Maha Vajiralongkorn, offering his deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to the families of the deceased, and the Thai people, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, sent a similar cable to the Thai king.

He extended his deepest condolences to the king, the families of the deceased, and the Thai people.