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Gulf

Washington Looks forward to Coordinating Counter-Terror Data with Doha

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (2nd R) next to Defense Secretary Jim Mattis (R) welcomes Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani (L) and Defense Minister Khalid bin Muhammad al-Attiyah at the opening session of the inaugural US-Qatar Strategic Dialogue at the State Department in Washington, US, January 30, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (2nd R) next to Defense Secretary Jim Mattis (R) welcomes Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani (L) and Defense Minister Khalid bin Muhammad al-Attiyah at the opening session of the inaugural US-Qatar Strategic Dialogue at the State Department in Washington, US, January 30, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas
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Washington Looks forward to Coordinating Counter-Terror Data with Doha

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (2nd R) next to Defense Secretary Jim Mattis (R) welcomes Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani (L) and Defense Minister Khalid bin Muhammad al-Attiyah at the opening session of the inaugural US-Qatar Strategic Dialogue at the State Department in Washington, US, January 30, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson (2nd R) next to Defense Secretary Jim Mattis (R) welcomes Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani (L) and Defense Minister Khalid bin Muhammad al-Attiyah at the opening session of the inaugural US-Qatar Strategic Dialogue at the State Department in Washington, US, January 30, 2018. REUTERS/Yuri Gripas

United States Secretary of State Rex Tillerson expressed on Tuesday Washington’s willingness to further develop intelligence exchange revolving around terror cases and suspects with Doha, Qatar.

Tillerson and US Secretary of Defense James Mattis co-hosted at the Department of State the High-Level Opening Session of the Inaugural US-Qatar Strategic Dialogue with their Qatari counterparts, namely, Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Defense Minister Khalid bin Muhammad al-Atiyah.

Defense Secretary Mattis stressed on the importance of a stable and strong Gulf to counter what he labeled a “malign” Iranian influence and other forces of terrorism.

The UAE, along with Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt, cut off travel and trade ties with Qatar last June, accusing it of supporting terrorism.

During the strategic dialogue, Tillerson highlighted many important issues which will be discussed with Doha, including investment, security, counter-terrorism, energy and aviation.

More so, both the US and Qatari officials signed three memorandums of understanding on security cooperation and other issues. Tillerson and al-Thani also welcomed progress toward resolving a dispute over civil aviation.

State-owned Qatar Airways has agreed to release detailed financial statements, the US government said on Tuesday, as part of a response to accusations by US airlines that the carrier had been illegally subsidized by its government.

It is worth noting that Qatar is host to US and international forces at Al Udeid Air Base, which is home to the Combined Air Operations Center. The center coordinates an array of data and intelligence from satellites, drones, radar and US planes flying over hot spots in the Middle East and bombing

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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.