Saudi Search and Rescue Team Returns from Türkiye

People take belongings out of their destroyed apartment in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake in Antakya, Hatay province, Turkey, February 20, 2023. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopezh
People take belongings out of their destroyed apartment in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake in Antakya, Hatay province, Turkey, February 20, 2023. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopezh
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Saudi Search and Rescue Team Returns from Türkiye

People take belongings out of their destroyed apartment in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake in Antakya, Hatay province, Turkey, February 20, 2023. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopezh
People take belongings out of their destroyed apartment in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake in Antakya, Hatay province, Turkey, February 20, 2023. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopezh

The General Directorate of Civil Defense's Saudi Search and Rescue Team has returned home after completing its tasks and relief mission following the devastating earthquake in Türkiye.

The mission was carried out under the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince to assist earthquake victims, in coordination with the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief), and with the follow-up of the Interior Minister.

The Saudi team's mission had begun with meetings and coordination with the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG), local authorities, and the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD) to determine the locations where the team would conduct search and rescue operations, provide medical and humanitarian aid, in addition to equipping the assessment team with the camp headquarters and providing support and logistic services throughout its mission in Türkiye.

The Saudi team used state-of-the-art equipment and technology to conduct round-the-clock rescue operations and search for survivors in 47 sites across the three Turkish cities of Gaziantep, Antakya, and Kahramanmaras.

The KSrelief team remains in Syria and Türkiye, helping earthquake victims and monitoring the implementation of relief projects and programs in both countries.



Foreign Ministers of UAE, Israel Discuss Gaza Ceasefire

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan received Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Saar in Abu Dhabi. (WAM)
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan received Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Saar in Abu Dhabi. (WAM)
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Foreign Ministers of UAE, Israel Discuss Gaza Ceasefire

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan received Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Saar in Abu Dhabi. (WAM)
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan received Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Saar in Abu Dhabi. (WAM)

Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, received Gideon Saar, Israel’s Minister of Foreign Affairs in Abu Dhabi where the talks focused on bilateral relations between the two countries, WAM news agency said on Tuesday.
Discussions also addressed the latest developments in the region, particularly the escalating humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, and the regional and international efforts aimed at achieving a sustainable ceasefire.
Sheikh Abdullah highlighted the urgent importance of advancing a serious political horizon to resume negotiations for achieving a comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution, adding that this would contribute to establishing stability, achieving sustainable security in the region, and ending the escalating violence.
He emphasized the need for concerted efforts to reach a permanent ceasefire and prevent the expansion of conflict in the region, noting that the priority is to end tension and violence, protect civilian lives, and make every effort to facilitate the flow of urgent humanitarian aid, added WAM.
Sheikh Abdullah stressed that the Middle East is experiencing unprecedented tension and instability, requiring enhanced collective international efforts to end extremism, tension, and escalating violence while adopting a path of peace, prosperity, and development for the benefit of its people.
He reiterated the UAE's support for the mediation efforts of Qatar, Egypt, and the United States to broker a prisoner exchange agreement that could lead to a permanent ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the safe and sustainable delivery of adequate humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.
He underlined that building peace in the region is the key to establishing lasting stability, sustainable security, and fulfilling the aspirations of its people for comprehensive development and a dignified life.
Sheikh Abdullah reaffirmed the UAE’s unwavering commitment to supporting the Palestinian people and their right to self-determination, highlighting the nation's longstanding solidarity with Palestinians over the decades.