KSrelief Supports Life-Saving Reproductive Health Program in Yemen

The funding will help increase access to reproductive health services for women and girls. Asharq Al-Awsat
The funding will help increase access to reproductive health services for women and girls. Asharq Al-Awsat
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KSrelief Supports Life-Saving Reproductive Health Program in Yemen

The funding will help increase access to reproductive health services for women and girls. Asharq Al-Awsat
The funding will help increase access to reproductive health services for women and girls. Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has announced a contribution of $2.5 million, supporting the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), to provide life-saving reproductive health services to the most vulnerable women and girls in Yemen.

The funding will help increase access to reproductive health services for women and girls, with support to 15 health facilities and 50 community midwives in southern parts of the country.

This support aims to reach more than 350,000 women and girls in the next 12 months, enabling pregnant women to deliver safely, while addressing other reproductive health complications such as obstetric fistula.

UNFPA appealed for $87 million over the next six months to urgently fund its life-saving response for the reproductive health and protection of the affected women and girls.

An estimated 8.1 million women and girls of childbearing age in Yemen require help accessing reproductive health services.

Only one in five of the functioning health facilities provide maternal and child health services due to extreme shortages of essential medicines, supplies and specialized staff.

“As the humanitarian crisis in Yemen enters its eighth year, the situation for women and girls of childbearing age is increasingly dire,”' said UNFPA Arab States Regional Director Luay Shabaneh.

He thanked KSrelief for recognizing the enormous needs for the health and protection of women and girls in Yemen and partnering with UNFPA to maintain vital reproductive health services.

KSrelief has been a longstanding partner of UNFPA in Yemen, helping to reach hundreds of thousands of women and girls with reproductive health and protection information and services since 2015.

Separately, Director of the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) in Aden Eng. Ahmed Madkhali held talks on Friday with Taiz Governor Nabil Shamsan.

Discussions touched on the SDRPY’s implemented projects and the upcoming projects in Taiz.

Shamsan hailed the SDRPY’s strategic projects, interventions and various activities in the governorate, Saba news agency reported.

Madkhali, for his part, reviewed reports of the implemented projects and announced a plan to implement more in the future.

He underlined the great importance the Program leadership attaches to the governorate and keenness to alleviate people’s suffering.



Attacks from Iraq on East-West Pipeline Draw Strong Condemnations

Saudi Aramco logo. Reuters
Saudi Aramco logo. Reuters
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Attacks from Iraq on East-West Pipeline Draw Strong Condemnations

Saudi Aramco logo. Reuters
Saudi Aramco logo. Reuters

Attacks on a key Saudi oil pipeline launched from Iraqi territory drew on Saturday strong condemnations from many countries and organizations.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry blamed the attacks on the East-West pipeline in the Riyadh and Madinah regions on several drones that came from Iraq and, in a statement, said the Kingdom would not retaliate to give the Iraqi government “an opportunity to take the necessary measures.”

For its part, the Iraqi government strongly condemned the attacks, reiterating its categorical rejection of any aggression that threatens the Kingdom's security, stability, or bilateral relations.

Iraqi Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Ali Al-Zaidi ordered an immediate investigation to determine the circumstances of the strikes and identify the perpetrators.

In a statement carried by the Iraqi News Agency, Spokesperson for the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Sabah Al-Numan emphasized that Baghdad will take strict legal action against anyone implicated in the assault, stressing that the state will not tolerate activities that jeopardize Iraq's national security or its ties with brotherly nations.

Al-Numan voiced appreciation for Saudi Arabia's measured response and constructive engagement with Baghdad's efforts to de-escalate tensions, noting that this stance underscores Riyadh's commitment to regional stability and bilateral cooperation.

He reaffirmed that Iraq's territory and airspace will not serve as a launchpad for hostile actions against any state. He reiterated Baghdad's dedication to upholding state sovereignty, good neighborliness, and regional diplomacy, ensuring relations with neighboring nations foster mutual stability rather than conflict.

Also, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, Oman, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Lebanon, Pakistan, OIC, the Arab Parliament, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Muslim World League (MWL) were quick to condemn the attacks.

The separate statements all stressed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and backed all measures taken by the Kingdom to safeguard its territory. 

 


Saudi Foreign Minister Receives Phone Call from British Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Moscow on July 4, 2025. (Reuters)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Moscow on July 4, 2025. (Reuters)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Receives Phone Call from British Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Moscow on July 4, 2025. (Reuters)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah in Moscow on July 4, 2025. (Reuters)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call on Saturday from Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom Edward Miliband.

During the call, the two sides discussed regional developments.

According to SPA, at the outset, Miliband renewed his country's solidarity with Saudi Arabia following the attacks launched by the Houthi militia, stressing the Kingdom's right to take necessary measures to defend its security and capabilities in accordance with international law.

The two sides also discussed the importance of intensifying joint efforts to ensure the security and freedom of navigation in waterways, contributing to regional security and stability and protecting global trade and supply chains from the repercussions of the current crisis.


Saudi Arabia Welcomes Launch of Global Alliance for South-South and Triangular Cooperation

File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi flag/AAWSAT
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Saudi Arabia Welcomes Launch of Global Alliance for South-South and Triangular Cooperation

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

Saudi Arabia has welcomed the launch of the Global Alliance for South-South and Triangular Cooperation, emphasizing its importance in enhancing integration and reducing duplication of efforts while respecting countries’ national priorities.

In the Kingdom’s speech delivered on the occasion of the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation, Saudi Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Alwasil said Saudi Vision 2030 aligns with the priorities of South-South cooperation, particularly in economic diversification, digital transformation, innovation, sustainability, youth empowerment, and the private sector, SPA reported.

He noted that the Saudi Fund for Development has contributed to supporting and financing development projects and programs in more than 100 developing countries across various vital sectors, affirming Saudi Arabia’s commitment to continuing to work with member states, the United Nations, and partners to strengthen cooperation and achieve more prosperous, sustainable, and inclusive development.