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Gulf

Iraq Welcomes Saudi-Iran Agreement, Pro-Tehran Factions Silent

This handout photo released by the Iraqi prime minister's press office shows premier Mohammed Shia al-Sudani addressing the final signing ceremony of the contracts for the latest licensing round for oil and gas border exploration blocks and fields, at the Oil Minister in Baghdad on February 21, 2023. (Iraqi prime minister's press office/AFP)
This handout photo released by the Iraqi prime minister's press office shows premier Mohammed Shia al-Sudani addressing the final signing ceremony of the contracts for the latest licensing round for oil and gas border exploration blocks and fields, at the Oil Minister in Baghdad on February 21, 2023. (Iraqi prime minister's press office/AFP)
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Iraq Welcomes Saudi-Iran Agreement, Pro-Tehran Factions Silent

This handout photo released by the Iraqi prime minister's press office shows premier Mohammed Shia al-Sudani addressing the final signing ceremony of the contracts for the latest licensing round for oil and gas border exploration blocks and fields, at the Oil Minister in Baghdad on February 21, 2023. (Iraqi prime minister's press office/AFP)
This handout photo released by the Iraqi prime minister's press office shows premier Mohammed Shia al-Sudani addressing the final signing ceremony of the contracts for the latest licensing round for oil and gas border exploration blocks and fields, at the Oil Minister in Baghdad on February 21, 2023. (Iraqi prime minister's press office/AFP)

The Iraqi government expressed its satisfaction with the signing of the Chinese-sponsored agreement to restore relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani received a telephone call from Ali Shamkhani, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, to voice Tehran’s gratitude to Baghdad that had hosted negotiations between the Kingdom and Iran.

Iraq had helped bridge the divide between the two sides that culminated in the signing of the agreement this week in Beijing.

For his part, Sudani congratulated Shamkhani on reaching the agreement, which he hoped would help increase harmony between Islamic countries that will in turn reflect positively on the region’s security and stability and offer more opportunities for development and prosperity.

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry said the agreement will create a new “atmosphere that will prioritize the interests of the region.”

In a statement on Saturday, it added that the agreement reflected Saudi Arabia and Iran’s prioritizing of dialogue as the only was to ease tensions.

Moreover, it stressed that Baghdad had hosted the rounds of dialogue between Riyadh and Tehran because it realized that the region needed all its parties to come together.

Baghdad believes that the agreement may lead to solutions to protracted regional issues, it added.

“We aspire for a secure region and an environment that promotes opportunities for development. This is only possible through collective will that overcomes differences,” it stated.

Pro-Iran factions in Iraq have yet to comment on the agreement.

Meanwhile, prominent Iraqi religious and political figures welcomed the agreement.

Head of the Hikma movement Ammar al-Hakim said the development will effectively impact the stability of the region and its strength.

He also highlighted Iraq’s intense efforts in bringing together the Saudis and Iranians to hold dialogue.

National security advisor Qassem al-Araji said diplomatic dialogue is the “best way to resolve conflicts between friends,” praising the Iraqi, Omani and Chinese efforts that led to the signing of the “historic” agreement.

In a tweet, he stated he was “confident that the agreement will have major positive impacts on Iraq, the region and world.”

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Gulf

Saudi Arabia 'Disappointed in UAE for Pressuring STC' in Yemen, Says Kingdom's Security a 'Red Line'

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia 'Disappointed in UAE for Pressuring STC' in Yemen, Says Kingdom's Security a 'Red Line'

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia expressed on Tuesday its disappointment in the United Arab Emirates for pressuring the Southern Transitional Council to carry out military operations on the Kingdom's southern borders in Yemen's Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra governorates, which it deemed a threat to its national security and the security and stability of Yemen and the region.

A Saudi Foreign Ministry statement said: "The steps taken by the UAE are considered highly dangerous, inconsistent with the principles upon which the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen was established, and do not serve the coalition's purpose of achieving security and stability for Yemen."

"The Kingdom stresses that any threat to its national security is a red line, and the Kingdom will not hesitate to take all necessary steps and measures to confront and neutralize any such threat," it declared.

It underscored "its commitment to the security, stability, and sovereignty of Yemen, and affirms its full support to the President of the Presidential Leadership Council and the Yemeni government."

"The Kingdom reaffirms that the Southern cause is a just cause that has historical and social dimensions, and that the only path to resolve it is through dialogue within a comprehensive political solution in Yemen, and among all Yemeni parties including the Southern Transitional Council."

"The Kingdom stresses the importance that the brotherly UAE accept Yemen's request for all its forces to leave Yemen within 24 hours, and halt any military or financial support to any party within Yemen."

"With this regard, the Kingdom hopes that wisdom, the principles of brotherhood, good neighborliness, strong ties among countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the interest of brotherly Yemen, will prevail," it said.

"The Kingdom also hopes that the brotherly UAE will take the necessary steps to preserve bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries, which the Kingdom is keen on strengthening, and continue joint efforts towards all that leads to the wellbeing, prosperity and stability of countries in the region."

Gulf

Arab Coalition Carries out 'Limited' Airstrike on Military Shipment at Yemen's Mukalla Port

A screengrab shows of the airstrike on Al-Mukalla port. (Arab coalition)
A screengrab shows of the airstrike on Al-Mukalla port. (Arab coalition)
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Arab Coalition Carries out 'Limited' Airstrike on Military Shipment at Yemen's Mukalla Port

A screengrab shows of the airstrike on Al-Mukalla port. (Arab coalition)
A screengrab shows of the airstrike on Al-Mukalla port. (Arab coalition)

The Joint Forces Command of the Arab coalition to support legitimacy in Yemen announced that it had carried out a "limited" airstrike targeting a military shipment that had arrived in Yemen's Al-Mukalla port.

In a statement, coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki said the forces detected on Saturday and Sunday the arrival of two vessels from the Port of Fujairah to Mukalla without obtaining any permits from the Joint Forces Command.

"The crew had disabled the tracking devices aboard the vessels, and unloaded a large amount of weapons and combat vehicles in support of the Southern Transitional Council’s forces in Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra governorates in eastern Yemen," it added.

It described the actions as "flagrant violations" of peace efforts and United Nations Security Council resolution 2216.

In response to a request of the president of the Presidential Leadership Council in Yemen that the coalition "take all necessary military measures to safeguard civilians in Hadhramaut and Mahra and considering that the aforementioned weapons are an imminent threat, and an escalation that threatens peace and stability," the Coalition Air Force conducted on Tuesday a limited airstrike targeting the weapons and military vehicles offloaded in Mukalla.

"The airstrike took place following close surveillance and documentation of the cargo, and was conducted in accordance with the Customary International Humanitarian Law, and in a manner that guarantees no collateral damage."

"The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition will continue its de-escalation and pacification in Hadhramaut and Mahra, and will maintain its blocking of any and all military support from whichever country that does so without coordinating with the legitimate Yemeni Government and the coalition, in order to ensure the success of Saudi Arabia and coalition’s efforts to achieve security and stability, and prevent further expansion of the conflict."

Gulf

Crown Prince of Kuwait Meets with GCC Secretary-General

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
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Crown Prince of Kuwait Meets with GCC Secretary-General

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC
Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi. GCC

Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah met with Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi on Monday at the Bayan Palace in Kuwait.

Albudaiwi presented a comprehensive report to Sheikh Sabah regarding Kuwait’s presidency of the 45th session of the GCC Supreme Council, and expressed his appreciation for the generous support and steadfast commitment Kuwait provides to the GCC's journey, SPA reported.

He underscored that such support serves as a powerful catalyst for continued efforts toward achieving greater integration and cooperation, ultimately fostering prosperity and well-being for the GCC member states and their peoples.