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Yemenis, Int’l Parties Welcome GCC Initiative for Intra-Yemeni Talks

Students after completing final school exams in Sanaa on Saturday. (EPA)
Students after completing final school exams in Sanaa on Saturday. (EPA)
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Yemenis, Int’l Parties Welcome GCC Initiative for Intra-Yemeni Talks

Students after completing final school exams in Sanaa on Saturday. (EPA)
Students after completing final school exams in Sanaa on Saturday. (EPA)

The Gulf Cooperation Council’s invitation for holding intra-Yemeni consultations was welcomed by international and Yemeni parties. In an official statement, the Yemeni presidency urged everyone to participate actively and positively.

Yemenis are looking forward to the consultations leading to results that will turn the page of the conflict and help chart a clear path to peace.

The Yemeni presidency welcomed on Friday the GCC’s announcement that it will host Yemeni consultations at the headquarters of the General Secretariat in Riyadh, from March 29 to April 7.

It praised in a statement the GCC and Saudi-led Arab coalition’s sincere efforts to restore security and stability and achieve peace in Yemen, based on the Gulf initiative, its executive mechanism, outcomes of the national dialogue and relevant UN resolutions, mainly resolution 2216.

The presidency called on all Yemeni components to participate effectively and positively in the upcoming talks and join efforts to resolve the crises, end the suffering of Yemenis and start building the future of the next generations.

The United Nations also welcomed the initiative.

“I can tell you that the UN appreciates all initiatives to reach an inclusive negotiated political settlement to the conflict in Yemen,” said Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric.

“In that context, we welcome the Gulf Cooperation Council’s initiative to hold consultations among the parties to the conflict in Yemen in the coming weeks in support of the UN’s own efforts,” he added.

The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) also welcomed the initiative announced by the GCC, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

The OIC’s General Secretariat had called for supporting a political solution to the Yemeni crisis and encouraged dialogue between all Yemeni parties and the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement, and appreciated all efforts, especially efforts of UN and Saudi Arabia for a ceasefire and advancing the political process.

OIC Secretary General, Hissein Brahim Taha praised the GCC initiative, which would bridge the rift between Yemeni brothers.

He called on all Yemeni parties to engage in this very important initiative to stop the bleeding of Yemeni blood and reach a political solution to end the conflict and advance the interests of the Yemeni people and in support of security and stability in the region.

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Gulf

Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition Begins Operations from Saudi Headquarters

Coalition commander Rear Admiral Abdullah Al-Shehri receives his deputy, Commodore Rashid Sheikh, at the command headquarters. (Saudi Defense Ministry)
Coalition commander Rear Admiral Abdullah Al-Shehri receives his deputy, Commodore Rashid Sheikh, at the command headquarters. (Saudi Defense Ministry)
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Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition Begins Operations from Saudi Headquarters

Coalition commander Rear Admiral Abdullah Al-Shehri receives his deputy, Commodore Rashid Sheikh, at the command headquarters. (Saudi Defense Ministry)
Coalition commander Rear Admiral Abdullah Al-Shehri receives his deputy, Commodore Rashid Sheikh, at the command headquarters. (Saudi Defense Ministry)

The Multinational Maritime Defense Coalition has begun operations from its headquarters in Saudi Arabia, with Pakistan’s Commodore Rashid Sheikh taking up his post as deputy commander.

Liaison officers from member states and countries completing accession procedures have also started work at the headquarters. Others will follow in stages, based on the number of posts allocated to each country.

The move follows the completion of arrangements to activate the coalition’s bodies, approved at its third planning meeting in Jeddah in August and attended by representatives from 39 countries.

It marks the start of the coalition’s institutional and operational phase and the integration of member states’ military capabilities, while other countries finalize accession procedures.

Work on the coalition’s institutional structure has also advanced rapidly. Saudi Arabia has appointed its commander, while members agreed that the first deputy commander would come from Pakistan.

Saudi Arabia announced the coalition in late July as an international defensive initiative open to all countries.

It aims to strengthen maritime security, protect international waterways and global trade, and counter emerging threats. Rear Admiral Abdullah Al-Shehri was appointed coalition commander.

The coalition is a strategic step toward protecting shared maritime interests in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

It is founded on the principle that securing international waterways is a collective responsibility requiring coordinated action against growing threats.

Membership remains open to interested countries.

Saudi Arabia’s hosting and leadership of the coalition reflects the Kingdom’s role in strengthening regional and international security and building effective alliances to deter and confront shared maritime threats.

The coalition seeks to safeguard freedom of navigation, secure trade routes, supply chains and energy resources, and protect shared maritime interests across the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The coalition operates under the principles of the United Nations Charter and international law. It is exclusively defensive, does not target any country or organization, fully respects state sovereignty and safeguards freedom of navigation.

Gulf

Gulf, Arab Condemnation of Iranian Attack on Saudi Tanker

Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, September 2, 2026. (Reuters)
Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, September 2, 2026. (Reuters)
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Gulf, Arab Condemnation of Iranian Attack on Saudi Tanker

Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, September 2, 2026. (Reuters)
Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, September 2, 2026. (Reuters)

Qatar strongly condemned on Wednesday Iran's attack on the Saudi tanker SIDR in the Strait of Hormuz, which resulted in the deaths among the crew.

It slammed the strike as a blatant violation of international maritime law and UN Security Council Resolution 2817.

In a statement, the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs “categorically rejected the weaponization of the Strait of Hormuz and demanded its unconditional reopening.”

The ministry emphasized that “freedom of navigation in the vital waterway is a non-negotiable principle”.

It warned that its continued closure jeopardizes regional security and the global economy.

Demanding an immediate halt to Iran's unjustified aggression, the ministry stressed Doha's “full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and expressed unequivocal support for all measures taken by Riyadh to protect its national assets.”

Jordan also condemned the attack, saying it was a flagrant violation of international law and a direct threat to the security and safety of global maritime navigation.

In a statement, the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates underlined the country's “absolute solidarity with Saudi Arabia, expressing full support for all measures taken by Riyadh to protect its security, stability, and national resources.”

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi strongly condemned the attack, slamming it as a “dangerous escalation, a grave violation of international law, and a direct threat to the security and safety of international maritime navigation.”

He warned that the attack exposes regional security and stability and the flow of global trade to “grave risks”.

Albudaiwi underscored that the GCC member states stand firmly with Saudi Arabia in every measure to safeguard its security and protect its interests.

Gulf

Riyadh Condemns Iran Attack on Saudi Vessel in Hormuz

A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA file)
A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA file)
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Riyadh Condemns Iran Attack on Saudi Vessel in Hormuz

A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA file)
A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA file)

Saudi Arabia condemned on Wednesday Iran for attacking a Saudi vessel, SIDR, as it sailed the Hormuz Strait and the resulting loss of life among the crew.

A Foreign Ministry statement said the Kingdom also condemns the Iranian attacks against Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait.

Saudi Arabia “stands by the fraternal states and the measures they take to protect their security and sovereignty against any threat,” it added.

The Kingdom “underscored the need to stop the escalation and respect international marine lanes and their safety, as well as the global energy supplies.”

It urged “good neighborliness and respect for the sovereignty of nations, the UN Charter and international laws and norms.”

The Kingdom “called on all parties to restore calm, end the escalation, respect international law, return to the negotiations and turn to peaceful solutions.”