Saudi Crown Prince Launches Infrastructure Works for ‘Rua Al Madinah’ Project

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
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Saudi Crown Prince Launches Infrastructure Works for ‘Rua Al Madinah’ Project

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, chairman of the Council of Economic and Development Affairs (CEDA) and chairman of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), has inaugurated the infrastructure works and unveiled the master plan for the Rua Al Madinah Project in the area east of the Prophet’s Mosque.

The project is being developed and implemented by Rua Al Madinah Holding Company, a PIF company that specializes in development, operation, and real estate investment in Madinah. A part of PIF’s efforts to develop and enable promising sectors, the project is in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.

The Crown Prince stated that the Rua Al Madinah Project will raise the capacity to facilitate hosting 30 million Umrah pilgrims by 2030.

The project will be implemented to the highest international standards in an indication of the continuous support from the Kingdom’s leadership to Madinah to consolidate its position as a modern Islamic and cultural destination.

After rehabilitating 1.5 million m2, the project is set to add over 47,000 hotel rooms by 2030, in addition to open spaces and green areas that will enhance the location’s serene ambiance.

As much as 83,000 m2 of the project’s master plan will consist of green areas, with open and green spaces comprising 63% of the project’s total land area.

The project has been designed according to the highest international standards and offers many integrated transportation solutions, including nine bus stops for visitors, a metro station, tracks for self-driving vehicles, and underground parking.

These are being introduced to facilitate visitor access to the Prophet’s Mosque and will support both residential and commercial activity while helping to create many job opportunities.

The project aims to elevate the city’s status as a modern Islamic and cultural destination for pilgrims.

It features modern urban planning and large-scale development projects that will contribute to an increased quality of life by enhancing the comfort and enriching the experience of Madinah’s residents and visitors.

The project also seeks to enrich the quality of services provided and boost the hotel inventory of the area on the east side of the Prophet’s Mosque, including in the luxury segment.

Rua Al Madinah Holding Company aims to contribute to achieving the goals of the Hajj, Umrah, and travel sectors outlined in Vision 2030 by enriching the experience of visitors to the city.

It also seeks to revive the city’s cultural and architectural heritage, which has been carefully considered throughout the development process.

The project showcases many historical monuments that are of huge significance to the legacy of the Prophet and his companions, while the Holy City’s unique heritage is reflected in the design of all buildings and facilities.

Rua Al Madinah Holding Company’s strategy is closely aligned with the PIF’s drive to stimulate growth in the Kingdom’s promising vital sectors, in line with the goals of Vision 2030.



Kuwait Condemns Iranian Attack on Power, Water Desalination Facility

This screen grab taken from UGC video footage posted on social media on July 18, 2026, shows a plume of black smoke and flames billowing over the town of Mangaf, south of Kuwait City. (Photo by various sources / AFP)
This screen grab taken from UGC video footage posted on social media on July 18, 2026, shows a plume of black smoke and flames billowing over the town of Mangaf, south of Kuwait City. (Photo by various sources / AFP)
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Kuwait Condemns Iranian Attack on Power, Water Desalination Facility

This screen grab taken from UGC video footage posted on social media on July 18, 2026, shows a plume of black smoke and flames billowing over the town of Mangaf, south of Kuwait City. (Photo by various sources / AFP)
This screen grab taken from UGC video footage posted on social media on July 18, 2026, shows a plume of black smoke and flames billowing over the town of Mangaf, south of Kuwait City. (Photo by various sources / AFP)

The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry condemned on Sunday an Iranian attack on a power generation ‌and ‌water desalination ‌facility, ⁠calling it a ⁠direct strike on vital civilian infrastructure. 

The repeated targeting of civilian ⁠facilities amounted ‌to a dangerous ‌escalation and ‌violated international ‌law, the UN Charter and UN Security Council ‌Resolution 2817, the ministry said in a ⁠statement. 

It ⁠said Iran bore full legal and moral responsibility for the attack and its consequences. 

The United States launched more airstrikes at Iran on Sunday in response to the killing of US troops, and Iran fired missiles toward the region and Jordan that risked widening the conflict into neighboring Israel. 

The US military said the latest strikes targeted Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard to retaliate for Friday's killing of troops in Jordan. 

Kuwait, Jordan and Bahrain again activated air defenses for incoming Iranian drones and missiles.  

Kuwait said Sunday that Iran was targeting it with missile and drone strikes.

The country’s army said in a statement that its air defenses had been activated “following the sinful Iranian aggression.” The attacks came after more than a week of Iran and the United States trading strikes.

Chief of the General Staff said in a statement that Kuwait's “air defenses were intercepting hostile missiles and drones following a criminal Iranian aggression."

It said explosions that could be heard were the result of air defense systems intercepting the incoming attacks.

Authorities voiced calls on all citizens and residents to follow the security instructions issued by the relevant authorities and monitor official guidance. They have not so far reported any casualties or damage resulting from the attacks.


Saudi Arabia Condemns Iran's Continued Aggression on Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan

General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Iran's Continued Aggression on Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan

General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia condemned on Saturday Iran's continued aggression on Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan reaffirming the Kingdom's full support for the brotherly countries in all measures they take in response to the flagrant Iranian attacks, which violate international law.

The Kingdom also reiterated its utter rejection of Iran's blatant attacks on infrastructure and civilian and vital facilities, including a power and water desalination plant in Kuwait.

The Kingdom stressed the importance of an immediate halt to all forms of military escalation, in a manner that preserves the security and stability of the region's countries and their peoples.


Saudi Foreign Minister Receives Phone Call from Kuwaiti Counterpart

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Foreign Minister (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Foreign Minister (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Foreign Minister Receives Phone Call from Kuwaiti Counterpart

Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Foreign Minister (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Foreign Minister (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received a phone call from Kuwait's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

During the call, the two ministers condemned the heinous Iranian attacks targeting Kuwait and several other countries in the region.

They also discussed the latest regional developments and the two countries' efforts to preserve regional security and stability.