GCC Denounces Houthi Targeting of Yemen Refugee Camp in Hodeida

A man walks past a ship at the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Yemen. (Reuters)
A man walks past a ship at the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Yemen. (Reuters)
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GCC Denounces Houthi Targeting of Yemen Refugee Camp in Hodeida

A man walks past a ship at the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Yemen. (Reuters)
A man walks past a ship at the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Yemen. (Reuters)

The GCC Relief and Humanitarian Aid Coordination Office for Yemen held its 26th meeting in Riyadh on Wednesday, headed by Assistant General Supervisor of the Center for Planning and Development Dr. Aqeel bin Jumban Al-Ghamdi.

The meeting strongly condemned the Houthi targeting of Yemen's Bani Jaber Camp for the displaced in al-Khokha, Hodeidah province, last Friday which killed a woman and wounded 13 people, including 8 children, in a development that caused great damage to the camp.

Participants stressed the need to condemn this terrorist act by international and humanitarian organizations, calling on the international community to stand firm against this humanitarian crime carried out by the Houthi militias violating all international principles and human rights.

They also pointed out that the silence about these actions allows militias to continue to target humanitarian centers, especially that the Houthis have already targeted the rehabilitation center for recruits funded by King Salman Relief Center, in the governorate of Marib, and caused considerable damage to the building.

Calling on the international community to take all necessary measures to prevent the recurrence of such criminal incidents by militias targeting humanitarian centers and refugee camps, the participants stressed the importance of preventing the Houthis from hindering relief work and continuing to loot aid provided to the Yemeni people.

United Nations shall shoulder its legal and humanitarian responsibilities to stand up to these Houthi crimes, which contravene international laws and humanitarian principles.

The meeting discussed preparations for the provision of relief and humanitarian support to the areas expected to be affected by the tropical storm (Liban), which is currently hitting the governorates of Socotra and Hadhramout, in Yemen, and the continuation of relief support to all Yemeni governorates, in all areas, specifically the continuation of relief support to the West Coast areas.

During the meeting, they reviewed the relief and humanitarian assistance provided during the past month too and what will be presented during the next phase.

Minister of Social Affairs and Labor of Yemen, Deputy Chairman of the Yemeni Higher Relief Committee Dr. Abtaj Al-Kamal, hailed the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud directive to provide Yemen with $200 million, in a grant to the Central Bank of Yemen, in support of its financial position.

The Yemeni minister gave a comprehensive presentation on the humanitarian situation, in Yemen, and the developments of the humanitarian situation in the province of Hodeida, in particular, under the circumstances of the province as a result of the actions carried out by the Houthi militias against their population.

For their part, the representatives of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states' relief organizations participating in the meeting reiterated the GCC countries' continued support for the Yemeni people, in all aspects and the continuation of relief and humanitarian assistance to all humanitarian sectors, in Yemen.



Saudi Arabia Urges Yemen’s STC to 'Urgently’ Withdraw from Hadhramaut and al-Mahra

Saudi Arabia Urges Yemen’s STC to 'Urgently’ Withdraw from Hadhramaut and al-Mahra
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Saudi Arabia Urges Yemen’s STC to 'Urgently’ Withdraw from Hadhramaut and al-Mahra

Saudi Arabia Urges Yemen’s STC to 'Urgently’ Withdraw from Hadhramaut and al-Mahra

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Thursday expressing concern over the recent military movements witnessed in the governorates of Hadhramaut and al-Mahra.

It noted that “the actions carried out by the Southern Transitional Council were taken unilaterally, without the approval of the Presidential Leadership Council or coordination with the coalition leadership”.

The Kingdom described the moves as an “unjustified escalation” that has harmed the interests of the Yemeni people across all segments of society, undermined the Southern cause, and weakened the coalition’s efforts.

The Kingdom further emphasized that, in recent months, it has focused on maintaining unity and has undertaken intensive efforts to reach peaceful solutions to address the situation in the two governorates, as part of its ongoing endeavors to restore stability.

The statement added that these efforts were “coordinated with the brethren United Arab Emirates, the Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, and the Yemeni government to contain the situation”.

It said that a “joint Saudi–Emirati military team was dispatched to coordinate with the Southern Transitional Council in Aden, ensuring the withdrawal of its forces from the two governorates and the handover of camps to the National Shield Forces and local authorities under the coalition’s supervision”.

The Foreign Ministry stressed that efforts are still underway to restore the situation to its previous state, expressing the Kingdom’s hope that the public interest will prevail and that the Southern Transitional Council will take the initiative to de-escalate tensions and urgently and peacefully withdraw its forces from the two governorates.

Saudi Arabia also underscored the importance of cooperation among all Yemeni forces and components, exercising restraint, and avoiding actions that could undermine security and stability.

The Kingdom reiterated its position that the “Southern cause is a just issue with historical and social dimensions and can only be resolved through dialogue that brings all Yemeni parties together at one table, within a comprehensive political process that ensures a lasting solution in Yemen”.

The statement concluded by affirming the Kingdom’s “support for the Chairman and members of the Presidential Leadership Council and the Yemeni government, in a manner that achieves security, stability, development, and peace in the sisterly Republic of Yemen”.


MWL Condemns Attack Targeting Pakistani Police

The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
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MWL Condemns Attack Targeting Pakistani Police

The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
The Muslim World League (MWL) logo

The Muslim World League (MWL) strongly condemned the attack targeting police personnel in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

In a statement issued by its General Secretariat, MWL Secretary-General and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars, Sheikh Mohammed Al-Issa, affirmed the League’s solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in the face of all threats to its security and stability. He reiterated the MWL’s firm rejection and condemnation of violence and terrorism in all their forms and under any pretext.

He also extended his sincere condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims and to the Pakistani people.


Sultan of Oman Awards Military Order to Royal Saudi Air Force Commander

Commander of the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) Lieutenant General Prince Turki bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz receives the Military Order of Oman (Second Class). (SPA)
Commander of the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) Lieutenant General Prince Turki bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz receives the Military Order of Oman (Second Class). (SPA)
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Sultan of Oman Awards Military Order to Royal Saudi Air Force Commander

Commander of the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) Lieutenant General Prince Turki bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz receives the Military Order of Oman (Second Class). (SPA)
Commander of the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) Lieutenant General Prince Turki bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz receives the Military Order of Oman (Second Class). (SPA)

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik awarded on Wednesday the Military Order of Oman (Second Class) to Commander of the Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) Lieutenant General Prince Turki bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz in recognition of his efforts and contributions to strengthening military cooperation between the two countries.

The order was presented to the RSAF commander by Omani Deputy Prime Minister for Defense Affairs Shihab bin Tarik Al Said, in the presence of Commander of the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) Air Vice Marshal Khamis Al Ghafri, Saudi Ambassador to Oman Ibrahim bin Saad bin Bishan, and the accompanying delegation.

During the visit, the RSAF commander also met with Minister of the Royal Office of Oman General Sultan bin Mohammed Al Nomani for talks on issues of mutual interest.

Prince Turki bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz arrived in Oman on Tuesday on an official visit during which he met with the commander of RAFO. The discussions addressed issues of common interest, particularly in the field of joint training and exercises.

The visit included a tour of the Air Center for Specialized Training, where the delegation reviewed the advanced capabilities on display, reflecting the level of development achieved by the Royal Air Force of Oman.