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UAE Urges International Community to Pressure Yemen’s Houthi Militias

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Nahyan, Minister of State, called on the international community to take decisive steps against the Houthis. Photo: Wam
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Nahyan, Minister of State, called on the international community to take decisive steps against the Houthis. Photo: Wam
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UAE Urges International Community to Pressure Yemen’s Houthi Militias

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Nahyan, Minister of State, called on the international community to take decisive steps against the Houthis. Photo: Wam
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Nahyan, Minister of State, called on the international community to take decisive steps against the Houthis. Photo: Wam

UAE Minister of State Sheikh Shakhbut bin Nahyan Al Nahyan reiterated his country’s call on the international community to take decisive and serious steps to pressure the Houthi terrorist group.

Sheikh Shakhbut stressed that the international community must consider the reasons that led to the deteriorating situation in Yemen.

He cited several major reasons, including the group’s rejection of any political settlement, refusal to sit with the United Nations Special Envoy to Yemen and discarding negotiations as the only means to achieve peace.

The Minister lauded the UN Security Council’s terrorist designation of the Iran-backed Houthi militias, as well as the UN expert team’s documentation of many Houthi violations.

He made his remarks during a high-level pledging event on the Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen, co-chaired by the Swedish and Swiss governments, as well as the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Ministers from a dozen countries and representatives of international organizations and NGOs took part in the event, which was held in a hybrid format in Geneva.

Sheikh Shakhbut underlined the impact of the group’s terrorist acts on Yemenis, especially children, who are being recruited to fight in battles, in addition to its hindering of aid delivery to the citizens and brutal attacks on civilians in Yemen and abroad.

“As a result of this blatant intransigence and blatant violation of the international law, the war has continued, adding to the suffering of the Yemeni people,” Sheikh Shakhbut stated.

The United Arab Emirates supports the UN efforts to provide basic needs for Yemenis, he affirmed, noting that it intends to work with relevant parties and international partners to accelerate the recovery and development in the war-torn country.

Since 2015, the UAE has provided Yemen with over $6.3 billion in foreign aid, focusing on the provision of food, health services and water, in addition to ensuring the continuity of providing public services, such as education and electricity, especially to the most vulnerable segments of society, particularly women and children.

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Gulf

Saudi Leadership Exchanges Eid Al-Fitr Greetings with Leaders of Islamic Countries

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 of Saudi Arabia.
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 of Saudi Arabia.
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Saudi Leadership Exchanges Eid Al-Fitr Greetings with Leaders of Islamic Countries

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 of Saudi Arabia.
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 of Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia’s leadership marked the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr by exchanging warm greetings with leaders across the Islamic world, reinforcing bonds of unity and shared faith, the Saudi Press Agency reported Friday.

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, exchanged congratulatory messages with the leaders of Islamic countries.

In their messages, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince expressed appreciation for the kind wishes and sincere prayers and prayed to Allah Almighty to accept everyone's good deeds and to return this blessed occasion to the Islamic nation with goodness, blessings, and continued security and stability.

Gulf

Pakistani Official: Saudi Response Sets Model in Managing Umrah Travel Crisis

Saudi airports sustain a central regional role in handling neighboring and global flights (SPA)
Saudi airports sustain a central regional role in handling neighboring and global flights (SPA)
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Pakistani Official: Saudi Response Sets Model in Managing Umrah Travel Crisis

Saudi airports sustain a central regional role in handling neighboring and global flights (SPA)
Saudi airports sustain a central regional role in handling neighboring and global flights (SPA)

A Pakistani official described Saudi Arabia’s efforts to facilitate the return of Umrah pilgrims to their home countries as “exceptional,” particularly in repatriating Pakistani pilgrims.

He noted that on-the-ground results reflect high efficiency in managing travel flows and strong coordination with Saudi authorities.

Syed Mustafa Rabbani, Consul General of Pakistan in Jeddah, told Asharq Al-Awsat that, following the recent regional suspension of some flight operations, the consulate took immediate measures to ensure the welfare and safety of Pakistani Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.

It coordinated closely with Saudi authorities overseeing Hajj and Umrah, the Nusuk platform, and affected airlines to provide extended accommodation, transport services and medical care when needed.

Special flights and alternative travel options were also arranged to ensure all pilgrims returned safely and on time.

Rabbani said that during the current Umrah season, large numbers of Pakistani pilgrims arrived in Saudi Arabia, with many still in the holy cities of Makkah and Madinah performing rituals, while others have already returned to Pakistan after completing Umrah.

He added that the consulate, in coordination with Saudi authorities and licensed Umrah operators, assisted more than 3,500 stranded Pakistanis.

Efforts are ongoing to organize return flights through operational airports, primarily Jeddah and Madinah, he said, adding that when direct routes are unavailable, alternative flight paths and transit options are arranged in coordination with airlines and Saudi authorities.

Rabbani said Saudi authorities had shown full cooperation and support for Pakistani pilgrims, including flexibility in accommodation arrangements, extensions of stay when needed, efficient transport services and access to healthcare.

He expressed the consulate’s appreciation for the continued support provided to stranded Pakistani pilgrims and travelers in the western region of the Kingdom.

The Pakistani consulate in Jeddah continues intensive coordination with airlines and licensed Umrah operators to address delays and logistical challenges, he said, adding that efforts are underway to arrange additional flights, facilitate rescheduling and provide timely updates to pilgrims.

Field teams, under the direct supervision of the consul general, have been deployed at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah.

These efforts, in coordination with Saudi authorities, Umrah operators, travel agents and airlines, have helped return a number of travelers to Pakistan and provide accommodation for those still awaiting departure.

Rabbani added that the consulate has set up a 24-hour hotline to guide Pakistani travelers and provide reliable updates on travel developments.

Saudi airports continue to play a central regional role in receiving flights from neighboring countries’ carriers and international airlines, operating with high readiness.

All necessary procedures have been facilitated, reflecting strong coordination and integration, and reinforcing the Kingdom’s regional position.

Saudi airports handled more than 120 flights from neighboring carriers between Feb. 28 and March 16, including requests from Qatar Airways, Kuwait Airways, Iraqi Airways, Gulf Air and Jazeera Airways.

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation said it had mobilized all its capabilities to maintain air traffic across the Kingdom’s airports and ensure efficient services for travelers amid the exceptional circumstances facing the Middle East.

In a statement issued the day before yesterday, it said these efforts aim to maintain smooth air navigation and ensure continued services for passengers and national and foreign airlines, alongside coordination with carriers to operate commercial, private and charter flights to return travelers to their destinations.

 

Gulf

Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Say Iran’s Attacks in Gulf Threat to Regional Security

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Say Iran’s Attacks in Gulf Threat to Regional Security

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. (SPA)

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah held telephone talks on Thursday on regional developments.

They stressed that the repeated Iranian attacks on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the targeting of their vital facilities are a dangerous escalation that threatens the region's security and stability.

GCC countries will continue to exert all efforts and dedicate all resources to defending their territories, supporting their security, and maintaining their stability, they added.

Crown Prince Mohammed and Sheikh Meshal also exchanged greetings on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr, which starts on Friday.