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Saudi Crown Prince Meets with South African President

The Saudi Crown Prince and the President of South Africa witnessed the ceremony of exchanging an agreement, cooperation program and bilateral memoranda of understanding. SPA
The Saudi Crown Prince and the President of South Africa witnessed the ceremony of exchanging an agreement, cooperation program and bilateral memoranda of understanding. SPA
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Saudi Crown Prince Meets with South African President

The Saudi Crown Prince and the President of South Africa witnessed the ceremony of exchanging an agreement, cooperation program and bilateral memoranda of understanding. SPA
The Saudi Crown Prince and the President of South Africa witnessed the ceremony of exchanging an agreement, cooperation program and bilateral memoranda of understanding. SPA

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz met at the Royal Court at Al-Salam Palace in Jeddah with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. They discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and aspects of cooperation.

After that, the Crown Prince, who is also Prime Minister, and the President of South Africa witnessed the ceremony of exchanging an agreement, cooperation program and bilateral memoranda of understanding between the two countries, as follows:

First: A memorandum of understanding for cooperation and exchange of news between the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) in the Kingdom and the state-run South African News Agency in South Africa between the Acting Minister of Media and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Press Agency, Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi, and South Africa Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Ebrahim Patel.

Second: A memorandum of understanding between the Saudi government and the government of South Africa for cooperation in the field of encouraging direct investment between the Minister of Investment, Eng. Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih and South Africa Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Ebrahim Patel.

Third: A memorandum of understanding between the Special Economic Cities and Zones Authority in the Kingdom and South African Ministry of Trade, Industry and Competition to cooperate in their fields of competence between Al-Falih and Patel.

Fourth: A memorandum of understanding between the government of the Kingdom and the government of South Africa for cooperation in the field of communications and information technology between the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Eng. Abdullah bin Amer Al-Sawaha, and South African Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula.

Fifth: A draft memorandum of understanding regarding the study of establishing a joint investment fund between the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef and Patel.

Sixth: A memorandum of understanding between the Government of the Kingdom and the Government of South Africa for technical cooperation in the fields of agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture between Al-Khorayef and South Africa Minister of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Angela Thoko Didiza.

Seventh: A memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of social development between Al-Khorayef and Patel.

Eighth: A cooperation agreement between the Kingdom and the Republic of South Africa in maritime transport between the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser and South Africa Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula.

Ninth: A memorandum of understanding between the government of the Kingdom and the government of South Africa on the mutual recognition of seafarers' certificates between the Minister of Transport and Logistics Services, Eng. Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser and South Africa Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula.

Tenth: A memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of health between the Minister of Health, Fahd bin Abdurrahman Al-Jalajil, and Patel.

Eleventh: A technical cooperation program between the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization (SASO) and the South African Standards Office (SAB) between the Governor of SASO, Dr. Saad bin Othman Al-Qasabi and Patel.

Twelfth: A memorandum of understanding between the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI) in the Kingdom and the Armaments Corporation of South Africa for cooperation in the field of military acquisition between the Governor of GAMI, Eng. Ahmed bin Abdulaziz Al-Ohali and the CEO of the Armaments Corporation of South Africa, Solomzi Mbada.

Thirteenth: A draft memorandum of understanding between the Saudi Export-Import Bank and the Export Credit Insurance Company in South Africa between the CEO of the Saudi Export-Import Bank, Saad bin Abdulaziz Al-Khalb, and Director General of Trade, Industry and Competition in South Africa Shabir Khan.

Fourteenth: A draft memorandum of understanding between the Saudi Geological Survey and Mintech Center for Research and Mineral Technology for cooperation in the fields of earth sciences between the Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Mining Affairs, Eng. Khalid bin Saleh Al-Mudaifer and the CEO of Mintech Center for Research and Mineral Technology in South Africa, Dr. Molavi Mutoko.

Fifteenth: A draft memorandum of understanding between the Saudi Geological Survey Authority and the Geosciences Council for cooperation in earth sciences between the CEO of the Saudi Geological Survey Authority, Eng. Abdullah bin Muftar Al-Shamrani, and the CEO of the Geosciences Council in South Africa, Mosa Mabuza.

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Gulf

Saudi Defense Minister: Time for STC to Withdraw from Yemen's Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Defense Minister: Time for STC to Withdraw from Yemen's Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said on Saturday it “was time for the Southern Transitional Council in Yemen to listen to reason and prioritize public interest and unity of ranks and respond to the Saudi-Emirati mediation to end the escalation.”

In a post on the X platform, he called on the STC to withdraw its forces from the eastern Hadhramaut and al-Mahra provinces and restore control to the National Shield and local authorities.

Prince Khalid said Saudi Arabia formed the Arab coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen to help the country reclaim control over all of its territories.

The liberation of southern provinces was a pivotal development towards that goal, he stressed.

Saudi Arabia “views the southern issue as fundamental” to Yemen and it will not “exploit it in conflicts that do not serve” the nation, he added.

The Kingdom had brought together all Yemeni components to the Riyadh conference to come up with a clear path for a comprehensive political solution, including the southern issue, he went on to say.

The conference paved the way for a “just solution to their cause through dialogue and without the use of forces.”

“Saudi Arabia approved the decision to move the base of power so that the southerners could have a greater role in state institutions. It consolidated partnership instead of elimination or imposing a status quo through forces. Saudi Arabia also presented Yemen with economic support, as well as development and humanitarian initiatives that helped ease the suffering of the people,” Prince Khalid added.

“Saudi Arabia and its partners in the coalition offered sacrifices with their Yemeni brothers in liberating Aden and other provinces,” he noted. “The Kingdom has always sought that these sacrifices be made in the name of reclaiming territories and restoring the state, not as a path towards new conflicts.”

It had hoped that these sacrifices would have been “invested in the security of all Yemeni people, not exploited for petty gains, whereby the unfortunate developments in Hadhramaut and al-Mahra since the beginning of December 2025 have led to the division in ranks that should be united against the enemy.”

“The developments have laid waste to the sacrifices of our sons and Yemeni people and have harmed the just southern issue,” stressed Prince Khalid.

He noted that several southern leaderships and figures have exhibited “awareness and wisdom in supporting efforts to end the escalation in Hadhramaut and al-Mahra and prevent the secure southern provinces from being dragged into futile conflicts.”

“They are aware of the major challenges facing Yemen and will not allow saboteurs to achieve their goals in the country and the region,” he remarked.

He declared that the “southern issue will remain part of any comprehensive political solution. The cause will not be neglected or marginalized. It should be resolved through consensus, adhering to commitments and building trust between all Yemeni segments, not through adventures that only serve everyone's enemy.”

Gulf

Arab Coalition: We Will Deal with Military Moves that Violate De-escalation Efforts

Coalition spokesman Brigadier General Turki al-Malki. (SPA)
Coalition spokesman Brigadier General Turki al-Malki. (SPA)
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Arab Coalition: We Will Deal with Military Moves that Violate De-escalation Efforts

Coalition spokesman Brigadier General Turki al-Malki. (SPA)
Coalition spokesman Brigadier General Turki al-Malki. (SPA)

Spokesman of the Arab coalition to support legitimacy in Yemen Brigadier General Turki al-Malki said on Saturday that “any military moves that violate de-escalation efforts will be dealt with directly to protect lives and ensure the success of Saudi and Emirati efforts.”

The statement is in response to a request by Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Dr. Rashad al-Alimi, who called for immediate steps to protect civilians in the eastern Hadhramaut and al-Mahra provinces in wake of the “grave and horrific” violations by members of the Southern Transitional Council (STC).

It is also in continuation of the strenuous joint efforts by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to de-escalate the situation and ensure the withdrawal of STC forces, who have been demanded to cede control to the National Shield forces and allow the local authorities to carry out their duties.

Malki underlined the Arab coalition’s continued firm support for the legitimate Yemeni government.

He also urged all sides to assume their national responsibility, exercise restraint and comply with efforts to reach peaceful solutions that preserve security and stability.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia Carries out Warning Strike on Yemen’s Hadhramaut, STC Says ‘Open to Coordination’

Southern forces patrol during a rally calling for South Yemen's independence, in the southern port city of Aden, Yemen, 25 December 2025. (EPA)
Southern forces patrol during a rally calling for South Yemen's independence, in the southern port city of Aden, Yemen, 25 December 2025. (EPA)
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Saudi Arabia Carries out Warning Strike on Yemen’s Hadhramaut, STC Says ‘Open to Coordination’

Southern forces patrol during a rally calling for South Yemen's independence, in the southern port city of Aden, Yemen, 25 December 2025. (EPA)
Southern forces patrol during a rally calling for South Yemen's independence, in the southern port city of Aden, Yemen, 25 December 2025. (EPA)

Saudi Arabia called for calm in eastern Yemen, urging an end to unilateral military moves and for the Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces to return to their former positions outside of the Hadhramaut and al-Mahra provinces.

Riyadh, meanwhile, demonstrated its stance on the ground by carrying out a warning air strike, informed sources told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The strike sought to deliver a message that it will not allow a new status quo to be imposed on the ground by force and that it will not allow the violation of institutional frameworks that handle security in the eastern provinces.

It warned that any further escalation will be met with firmer measures.

Meanwhile, the STC, in an attempt to justify its military moves, said they were in “response to calls from residents of the south” and an attempt to confront terrorist threats and block Houthi smuggling routes.

The STC added that it was “open to any coordination or arrangements with Saudi Arabia”, questioning the airstrike, which it said “does not serve understandings.”

Observers told Asharq Al-Awsat that Saudi Arabia will welcome the coordination and arrangements if they helped end the escalation, led to the withdrawal of the STC and allowed the National Shield forces and the local authority to take over Hadhramaut and al-Mahra without needing to resort to force.

They stressed that the strike will lead to delivering the clear message that Riyadh may impose red lines by force to prevent any escalation.

Sourced told Asharq Al-Awsat that any future settlement over restoring the unity of Yemeni ranks will condition a return to the former status quo.