Foreign Ministry: Saudi Arabia Evacuates 1,687 Persons of 58 Nationalities from Sudan

 Saudi Arabia continues efforts to evacuate its citizens, as well as foreign nationals, from Sudan conflict - SPA
Saudi Arabia continues efforts to evacuate its citizens, as well as foreign nationals, from Sudan conflict - SPA
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Foreign Ministry: Saudi Arabia Evacuates 1,687 Persons of 58 Nationalities from Sudan

 Saudi Arabia continues efforts to evacuate its citizens, as well as foreign nationals, from Sudan conflict - SPA
Saudi Arabia continues efforts to evacuate its citizens, as well as foreign nationals, from Sudan conflict - SPA

A third ship carrying a new batch of evacuees from Sudan arrived in Jeddah early on Wednesday as the Saudi government continues efforts to lift its citizens, as well as foreign nationals, from the conflict zone in Sudan.

The Foreign Ministry revealed in a statement that the ship transported 1,687 people of 58 nationalities from Port Sudan.

Saudi Arabia has received several rounds of evacuees by air and sea since Saturday, including foreign diplomats and officials.

Several nationals of brotherly and friendly States hailed the Kingdom's role in their evacuation from Sudan, state news agency SPA reported.

British Consul-General Cecille El Beleidi in Jeddah expressed thanks to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz for the Saudi government's role in the evacuation of British nationals from Sudan.

For his part, the US Consul General in Jeddah, Faris Asad, praised the Kingdom's humanitarian efforts in various fields and its keenness to support friendly nations. He also thanked all institutions in the Kingdom for their warm hospitality and efforts in facilitating US nationals' procedures from their departure until their arrival at Saudi territory.

Also, Abdul Razzaq Al-Manfi, the Libyan Consul in Jeddah, commended the Kingdom's significant contributions and the enormous efforts made by all government departments to offer the Libyans every possible assistance.

For her part, Maya Hadi, the Deputy Consul of Iraq, lauded the efforts of the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince, emphasizing that the Kingdom of always provides support and assistance for all people worldwide.

Several nationals on board the naval frigate also thanked and appreciated the Saudi government and all staff in the relevant sectors for harnessing all resources and facilities from the time the ship departed from Port Sudan until it arrived in Jeddah.



12 Killed, 309 Injured in Attack on Riyadh Airport; Coalition Vows Response

A drone view shows cityscape in Riyadh
A drone view shows cityscape in Riyadh
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12 Killed, 309 Injured in Attack on Riyadh Airport; Coalition Vows Response

A drone view shows cityscape in Riyadh
A drone view shows cityscape in Riyadh

Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authority said on Saturday that an attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh killed 12 people and injured 309 others of various nationalities, while the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen reported a projectile landing near King Fahd International Airport in Dammam.

The Coalition said in a statement that operations at Riyadh airport had been temporarily suspended pending a damage assessment and safety checks in coordination with the relevant authorities.

It said the 12 people killed included four Saudi nationals, two Bangladeshi residents, and one citizen each from the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Palestine and Sudan.

Brig. Gen. Turki al-Malki, spokesman for the coalition supporting Yemen's internationally recognized government, said a projectile had landed near King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. He also said a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi militia had been intercepted and destroyed in Al-Kharj province, while a drone had been destroyed in the Eastern Province.

Malki said the attack on a passenger terminal at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh amounted to a fully-fledged war crime under international humanitarian law, adding that the coalition's joint command would respond to the attack.


UK Defense Minister: Houthi Attack on Riyadh Airport 'Dangerous Escalation' and 'Contemptible'

General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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UK Defense Minister: Houthi Attack on Riyadh Airport 'Dangerous Escalation' and 'Contemptible'

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

UK Defense Minister Wes Streeting on Sunday condemned Saturday's deadly Houthi attack on Riyadh's airport as a "dangerous escalation" and "contemptible".

"What we've seen overnight is a dangerous escalation and I'm afraid an increasing pattern of behavior from the Houthis that's targeting civilian sites in Saudi Arabia," he told Sky News.

"This is completely contemptible action and it's one of the reasons why the UK is providing support to Saudi Arabia in the form of air defenses, but also air-to-air refueling," he said.

"We want to see an end to this conflict. It cannot be right that the Houthis are attacking civilian targets in this way," he added.


Crowds Attend Funeral of Saudi Pilot Hamoud Alkalthami in Jeddah

Crowds of condolences comfort the family of Captain Pilot Hamoud Alkalthami at Al-Salhiyah cemetery (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Crowds of condolences comfort the family of Captain Pilot Hamoud Alkalthami at Al-Salhiyah cemetery (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Crowds Attend Funeral of Saudi Pilot Hamoud Alkalthami in Jeddah

Crowds of condolences comfort the family of Captain Pilot Hamoud Alkalthami at Al-Salhiyah cemetery (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Crowds of condolences comfort the family of Captain Pilot Hamoud Alkalthami at Al-Salhiyah cemetery (Asharq Al-Awsat)

A large crowd attended funeral prayers for Captain Hamoud Alkalthami at Al-Guraigri Mosque in Jeddah on Saturday afternoon before his body was laid to rest at Al-Salhiyah Cemetery in the northeastern part of the city.

Relatives, friends, colleagues from Saudia Airlines, aviation sector workers and members of the public attended the funeral.

Mourners began arriving early to offer condolences to the family of Alkalthami, who was killed in an attack targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on Thursday.

His death prompted an outpouring of grief across Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector, with colleagues paying tribute in person and on social media, remembering his good character, warm smile and strong professional relationships throughout his career.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Khaled Salmeen Bahashwan, who worked with Alkalthami for more than 22 years at Saudia Airlines, remembered him as a kind, cheerful and compassionate colleague whose sincere smile and exemplary character left a lasting impression. He praised Alkalthami’s devotion to his wife and two daughters, his loyalty to colleagues and his willingness to support others, saying his many admirable qualities were difficult to capture in words.

Saudia mourned Captain Alkalthami, honoring his service and expressing condolences to his family and colleagues.

The airline also confirmed that an aircraft was damaged while parked on the airport tarmac, with no passengers on board. It said emergency procedures were immediately activated in coordination with the relevant authorities to assist those affected and provide support to their families.