Saudi Govt Renews Support to Political Efforts to Resolve Russia-Ukraine Crisis

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs the cabinet meeting on Tuesday. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs the cabinet meeting on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Govt Renews Support to Political Efforts to Resolve Russia-Ukraine Crisis

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs the cabinet meeting on Tuesday. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs the cabinet meeting on Tuesday. (SPA)

The Saudi government reiterated on Tuesday the Kingdom’s support to finding a political solution to the crisis between Russia and Ukraine.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chaired the cabinet meeting that was held at the al-Salam Palace in Jeddah.

The cabinet stressed that the Kingdom will also continue with its humanitarian efforts to help ease the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

It praised the cooperation of the Russian and Ukrainian governments with the mediation, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to release prisoners from various nationalities last week.

The mediation is part of his efforts in adopting humanitarian initiatives, it stressed.

The ministers were briefed on the various talks held by Saudi officials with world leaders and envoys that tackled the latest international developments over the past week. They also reviewed the latest regional developments.

The ministers reviewed Saudi Arabia’s participation at the 77th United Nations General Assembly and the several meetings its officials held on its sidelines.

The meetings reflected the Kingdom’s keenness on supporting and bolstering joint international work and cooperation to confront global challenges and taking the initiatives to help establish a more peaceful and just world to shape a promising future to peoples and coming generations.

The cabinet underscored the statement issued by the International Quartet on Yemen that condemned the Iran-backed Houthi militias for their military reinforcements and attacks in Yemen that are undermining the ongoing nationwide truce.

The Quartet stressed its full support to the efforts of United Nations envoy Hans Grundberg to extend and expand the truce and ensure its full implementation.

The cabinet highlighted the Kingdom’s remarks during the general debate of the 51st session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, stressing the importance of promoting a culture of dialogue, cooperation, tolerance and respect for noble values and other cultures. The Kingdom believes that this diversity is key to achieving prosperity and sustainable development for all peoples of the world.

On domestic affairs, the cabinet commended the attention paid by the state to the programs and strategies of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, especially with regard to the housing needs of citizens and the quality of services provided to them.

It noted efforts to continue to facilitate and increase home ownership rates to reach the target of 70% by 2030, to improve the quality of municipal services, the urban landscape and develop infrastructure, and optimize the use of natural and water resources.

The cabinet hailed the Kingdom's topping of G20 countries in international tourist arrivals during the first seven months of 2022. Saudi Arabia witnessed a rise of 121% compared to the same period in 2019, revealed the latest reports by the World Tourism Organization.

The cabinet said the achievement is a continuation of the qualitative leaps in the tourism sector, which provides job opportunities for citizens, and represents a cultural bridge to communicate with the world.



Saudi Arabia, Arab, and Islamic Nations Condemn Israel’s Death Penalty Law for Palestinians

Logo of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Logo of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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Saudi Arabia, Arab, and Islamic Nations Condemn Israel’s Death Penalty Law for Palestinians

Logo of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Logo of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Pakistan, Qatar, Türkiye and the UAE strongly condemned on Thursday Israel’s law that allows the imposition of the death penalty in the occupied West Bank and its de facto application against Palestinians, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The ministers warned against the increasingly discriminatory, escalating Israeli practices that entrench a system of apartheid and a rejectionist discourse that denies the inalienable rights and the very existence of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT).

The ministers warned that this legislation represents a dangerous escalation, especially due to its discriminatory targeting of Palestinian prisoners, and emphasized that such measures could intensify tensions and further destabilize the region.

The ministers also expressed deep concern over the conditions of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention, warning of mounting risks amid credible reports of ongoing abuses, including torture, inhumane and degrading treatment, starvation, and denial of basic rights. They emphasized that these practices reflect a broader pattern of violations against the Palestinian people.

The ministers reiterated their firm opposition to Israel’s racially discriminatory, oppressive, and aggressive policies directed against Palestinians.

The ministers further emphasized the urgent need to refrain from measures imposed by the occupying power that risk further inflaming tensions on the ground. They stressed the importance of ensuring accountability and called for strengthened international efforts to uphold stability and prevent further deterioration.


Iran Threatens Energy Security with Attacks on Gulf Oil Tankers

Saudi Arabia possesses one of the most advanced missile defense systems in the world (Saudi Ministry of Defense). 
Saudi Arabia possesses one of the most advanced missile defense systems in the world (Saudi Ministry of Defense). 
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Iran Threatens Energy Security with Attacks on Gulf Oil Tankers

Saudi Arabia possesses one of the most advanced missile defense systems in the world (Saudi Ministry of Defense). 
Saudi Arabia possesses one of the most advanced missile defense systems in the world (Saudi Ministry of Defense). 

Iran escalated its military operations in the region on Wednesday, targeting Gulf states and oil tankers in regional waters in attacks widely seen as a direct threat to energy security and international navigation.

Gulf air defenses intercepted dozens of missiles and drones, with officials stressing a high level of readiness to protect airspace and critical infrastructure while minimizing damage.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s defense ministry spokesman, Brigadier General Turki al-Maliki, said four drones had been intercepted and destroyed in recent hours.

In two separate statements, al-Maliki confirmed the success of the operations, underscoring the armed forces’ readiness to defend the Kingdom’s airspace and counter various threats, with no damage reported.

Riyadh also reiterated its strong condemnation of what it described as “blatant Iranian aggression” against the Kingdom, Arab states and the wider region during the 43rd session of the Council of Arab Interior Ministers, held via videoconference.

Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud stressed the importance of strengthening Arab security cooperation and coordinating efforts to confront evolving threats and combat crime in all its forms to safeguard regional stability.

Kuwait

A drone attack by Iran and allied groups targeting fuel tanks at the Kuwait International Airport triggered a large fire on Wednesday but caused no casualties.

Kuwait News Agency quoted civil aviation spokesman Abdullah al-Rajhi as saying rescue teams responded immediately, with initial reports indicating material damage to facilities operated by Kuwait Aviation Fueling Company (KAFCO).

Britain affirmed its support for Kuwait’s security amid the current situation, pledging to stand by the country against any threats to its sovereignty, stability and safety.

The message was conveyed from King Charles III to Kuwait’s emir, Sheikh Mishal al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, and delivered by British ambassador Qudsi Rasheed to Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Hamad Jaber al-Ali al-Sabah.

Bahrain

Bahrain’s Defense Force said it intercepted and destroyed four ballistic missiles and 19 drones in recent hours.

The General Command added that since the start of the Iranian attacks, 186 missiles and 419 drones had been intercepted. It said the use of such weapons against civilian sites and private property constitute a “flagrant violation” of international humanitarian law and the UN Charter and pose a direct threat to regional peace and security.

The interior ministry said firefighters had extinguished a blaze at a company facility caused by what it described as Iranian aggression.

Bahrain’s National Communication Center urged the public to follow official guidance, verify information accuracy and avoid spreading rumors amid the ongoing attacks.

United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates said its air defenses intercepted five ballistic missiles and 35 drones launched from Iran.

Falling debris from an intercepted drone killed an Asian national on a farm in Fujairah, authorities said. The victim was identified as a Bangladeshi citizen.

The Fujairah government media office said emergency teams responded to the incident in the Al-Rifaa area following the successful interception.

Official figures showed that since the start of the attacks, UAE defenses had dealt with 438 ballistic missiles, 19 cruise missiles and 2,012 drones. The assaults have killed two members of the armed forces while on duty, a Moroccan civilian contractor working with the military, and nine other civilians.

Qatar and maritime incidents

Qatar’s defense ministry said the country had been targeted by three Iranian cruise missiles. Air defenses intercepted two, while the third struck an oil tanker chartered by QatarEnergy in the country’s exclusive economic zone.

Authorities coordinated the evacuation of the vessel, which carried a crew of 21, with no casualties reported.

In a related development, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported a new security incident in Gulf waters.

According to the organization, the incident occurred 17 nautical miles north of Ras Laffan. A company security officer said the tanker was hit on its port side, causing damage above the waterline without injuries among the crew.

In a later update, the organization said the vessel had in fact been struck twice. One impact caused a fire that was later extinguished, while a second projectile remained unexploded in the engine room, with authorities working to secure it and investigate the incident.

On Tuesday, Iran targeted the Kuwaiti crude oil tanker “Al-Salmi” while it was anchored off the United Arab Emirates outside Dubai port. Several vessels in the Strait of Hormuz were also attacked using armed boats, missiles and drones.

 

 


Presidents of the UAE, US Discuss Regional Escalation and Global Security Risks

File photo: Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and US President Donald Trump meet in Abu Dhabi on Thursday (AP)
File photo: Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and US President Donald Trump meet in Abu Dhabi on Thursday (AP)
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Presidents of the UAE, US Discuss Regional Escalation and Global Security Risks

File photo: Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and US President Donald Trump meet in Abu Dhabi on Thursday (AP)
File photo: Emirati President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and US President Donald Trump meet in Abu Dhabi on Thursday (AP)

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan discussed on Wednesday the regional escalations and their impact on regional and global security during a phone call with US President Donald Trump.

The two leaders addressed the implications of rising tensions, including their impact on global markets, international maritime security, the world economy, and supply chains. They exchanged views on the broader consequences of the current escalation.

The two sides also addressed the ongoing Iranian attacks targeting the United Arab Emirates and several countries in the region, including strikes on civilians, critical facilities, and infrastructure. They stressed that such actions represent a breach of national sovereignty and international law and pose a direct threat to regional security and stability.

On Wednesday, the UAE Ministry of Defense said its air defenses intercepted five ballistic missiles and 35 drones launched from Iran on its territories.

It added that a total of 438 ballistic missiles, 19 cruise missiles, and 2,012 drones have been intercepted since the start of these attacks on February 28.

The attacks killed two armed forces personnel and 10 civilians of various nationalities, and injured 190 others. The ministry said it remains on high alert and ready to respond decisively to any threats to national security, sovereignty, and stability.