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Saudi Tourist Found after Abduction by Syrian Gang in Istanbul

This photo shows a view of Istanbul's skyline with the Suleymaniye Mosque, in the background, Saturday June 22, 2019. (AP)
This photo shows a view of Istanbul's skyline with the Suleymaniye Mosque, in the background, Saturday June 22, 2019. (AP)
    Ankara – Saeed Abdul Razek
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Saudi Tourist Found after Abduction by Syrian Gang in Istanbul

This photo shows a view of Istanbul's skyline with the Suleymaniye Mosque, in the background, Saturday June 22, 2019. (AP)
This photo shows a view of Istanbul's skyline with the Suleymaniye Mosque, in the background, Saturday June 22, 2019. (AP)

The Saudi embassy in Ankara and consulate in Istanbul succeeded, in cooperation with Turkish security forces, in locating a Saudi tourist who was kidnapped by a Syrian gang last week.

Abir al-Enenzi was kidnapped on Wednesday soon after leaving a department store in Istanbul where she was on vacation with her family.

The Saudi embassy announced Monday that Abir was found and the necessary measures are underway to return her to the Kingdom.

Since receiving the notice of her abduction, the embassy and consulate worked tirelessly with Turkish authorities to locate her, it said in a statement. She was found in good health on Monday in an area three hours outside of Istanbul.

The embassy and consulate are following up on the investigations into the case with Turkish security agencies.

Sources at the embassy told Asharq Al-Awsat that the tourist was kidnapped by a Syrian gang.

Over the weekend, her brother, Faisal posted a message he had received from the gang via the WhatsApp messaging app warning him against reporting the case to the police and asking for ransom.

While cooperating with the security forces, the brother went along with their instructions and agreed to meet up with the kidnappers for the trade. At the specified location, the police arrested one of the kidnappers who had shown up to receive the ransom. He soon confessed to the crime and escorted them to a house where a Syrian family was residing and where the victim was being held.

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Gulf

Saudi, Syrian FMs Discuss Efforts to Support Syria's Security, Economy

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Syrian counterpart Asaad Al-Shaibani meet in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Syrian counterpart Asaad Al-Shaibani meet in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
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Saudi, Syrian FMs Discuss Efforts to Support Syria's Security, Economy

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Syrian counterpart Asaad Al-Shaibani meet in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Syrian counterpart Asaad Al-Shaibani meet in Riyadh on Monday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received in Riyadh on Monday his Syrian counterpart Asaad Al-Shaibani.

They reviewed fraternal relations between their two countries and discussed developments in Syria.

They also tackled ways to support Syria's security and economy in a manner that fulfills the aspirations of its people.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia Reiterates Support for Sudan's Unity, Security

A general view of the Sudanese refugee camp in Goudrane, Wadi Fira, Chad, on January 31, 2026 near the city of Iriba. (AFP)
A general view of the Sudanese refugee camp in Goudrane, Wadi Fira, Chad, on January 31, 2026 near the city of Iriba. (AFP)
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Saudi Arabia Reiterates Support for Sudan's Unity, Security

A general view of the Sudanese refugee camp in Goudrane, Wadi Fira, Chad, on January 31, 2026 near the city of Iriba. (AFP)
A general view of the Sudanese refugee camp in Goudrane, Wadi Fira, Chad, on January 31, 2026 near the city of Iriba. (AFP)

Saudi Arabia reiterated on Monday its unwavering support for the unity, security, and stability of Sudan, stressing the need to preserve its legitimate state institutions.

The Kingdom demanded that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) immediately cease their violations and adhere to their moral and humanitarian obligations. This includes ensuring the delivery of relief aid to those in need, in line with international humanitarian law and the Jeddah Declaration to Protect Civilians in Sudan, signed on May 11, 2023.

Saudi Arabia delivered its statement during the interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner for Human Rights' oral briefing regarding the situation in and around El-Fasher. The Kingdom's Permanent Mission to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva participated in the session.

Delivering the statement, Permanent Representative Ambassador Abdulmohsen bin Khothaila reiterated the Kingdom's "strong condemnation of the grave human rights violations committed during the RSF's attacks on El-Fasher."

He specifically highlighted "recent criminal attacks on health facilities, relief convoys, and civilian infrastructure, which have resulted in the deaths of dozens of displaced persons and unarmed civilians, including women and children."

Gulf

Saudi Arabia's KSrelief Inaugurates Maternity Clinic at Al-Awda Hospital in Central Gaza

KSrelief inaugurates the women's and maternity clinic at Al-Awda Hospital in central Gaza on Monday. (SPA)
KSrelief inaugurates the women's and maternity clinic at Al-Awda Hospital in central Gaza on Monday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia's KSrelief Inaugurates Maternity Clinic at Al-Awda Hospital in Central Gaza

KSrelief inaugurates the women's and maternity clinic at Al-Awda Hospital in central Gaza on Monday. (SPA)
KSrelief inaugurates the women's and maternity clinic at Al-Awda Hospital in central Gaza on Monday. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia's King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) inaugurated on Monday the women's and maternity clinic at Al-Awda Hospital in central Gaza.

Implemented in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the project marks the completion of restoration and rehabilitation work following extensive damage sustained during the conflict with Israel, which had forced the facility to close.

The clinic's rehabilitation is part of a broader initiative to ensure access to essential services and promote maternal and newborn health among the affected population in Gaza.

The project targets the rehabilitation and support of women's and maternity departments in three major hospitals: Friends of the Patient Hospital, Al-Khair Hospital, and Al-Awda Hospital. It aims to improve the quality of reproductive health services and ensure pregnant and lactating women have access to safe healthcare.

The initiative is part of Saudi Arabia's ongoing efforts, through KSrelief, to ease the suffering of the Palestinian people and provide essential services amid the significant challenges facing the health sector in Gaza.