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128 Houthi Prisoners Transferred from Saudi Arabia to Sanaa

Sanaa airport. Asharq Al-Awsat
Sanaa airport. Asharq Al-Awsat
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128 Houthi Prisoners Transferred from Saudi Arabia to Sanaa

Sanaa airport. Asharq Al-Awsat
Sanaa airport. Asharq Al-Awsat

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Thursday that it repatriated 128 Houthi prisoners from Saudi Arabia to the Houthi-held Yemeni capital of Sanaa.

An ICRC representative in Saudi Arabia confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the prisoners have been transferred to Sanaa.

In an announcement posted on Twitter earlier Thursday, the aid agency said: "Today we are repatriating 128 #detainees from #KSA to #Sanaa. We welcome this initiative and we are pleased to see humanitarian considerations taken into account for the sake of the families waiting for their loved ones to return home."

On Tuesday, the Arab Coalition said it had decided "to release 200 prisoners of the Houthi militia" and would also allow patients needing medical care to be flown out of Sanaa airport.

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Gulf

Qatar Emir, Trump Discuss De-escalation as Larijani Heads to Doha 

A handout photo made available by Iran's Supreme National Security Council office shows Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani (C) arriving in Muscat, Oman, 10 February 2026. (EPA/ Iran's Supreme National Security Council office / Handout)
A handout photo made available by Iran's Supreme National Security Council office shows Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani (C) arriving in Muscat, Oman, 10 February 2026. (EPA/ Iran's Supreme National Security Council office / Handout)
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Qatar Emir, Trump Discuss De-escalation as Larijani Heads to Doha 

A handout photo made available by Iran's Supreme National Security Council office shows Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani (C) arriving in Muscat, Oman, 10 February 2026. (EPA/ Iran's Supreme National Security Council office / Handout)
A handout photo made available by Iran's Supreme National Security Council office shows Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani (C) arriving in Muscat, Oman, 10 February 2026. (EPA/ Iran's Supreme National Security Council office / Handout)

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and US President Donald Trump discussed efforts for regional de-escalation and stability in a phone call, the Emiri Diwan said on Wednesday, as Washington and Tehran pursue diplomatic solutions to Iran's nuclear program.

They underscored the importance of continued coordination and consultation on issues of mutual interest, as well as supporting diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving crises through dialogue and peaceful means, said Qatar’s state news agency QNA.

The call comes ahead of a meeting between Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu where ‌the Israeli ‌prime minister is expected ‌to ⁠press him to widen ⁠US talks with Iran to include curbs on Tehran's missile arsenal and other security threats beyond its nuclear program.

Qatar has been engaging in diplomatic efforts with regional allies to ease tensions between ⁠Washington and Tehran to avert the ‌threat of a ‌military confrontation between the longtime adversaries.

Ali Larijani, an ‌adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader ‌Ali Khamenei, arrived in Qatar on Wednesday and was expected to meet with Sheikh Tamim, as Washington and Tehran prepare to resume ‌negotiations.

The two countries held indirect talks in Oman last week, which ⁠a ⁠spokesperson for Iran's foreign ministry said had allowed Tehran to gauge Washington's seriousness and showed enough consensus for diplomacy to continue.

Doha has also been mediating between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza war, alongside the US and Egypt.

Gulf

Saudi King Calls for Istisqa Prayer on Thursday

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz (SPA)
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Saudi King Calls for Istisqa Prayer on Thursday

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has called for the Istisqa (rain-seeking) prayer to be performed across the Kingdom on Thursday, the Royal Court said in a statement.

The statement urged everyone to supplicate to Allah Almighty for forgiveness, repentance, good deeds, and rainfall.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia’s SDRPY Launches New Phase of Al-Abr Road Rehabilitation in Yemen

SDRPY’s transport sector projects and initiatives focus on rehabilitating nearly 200 kilometers of roads across various governorates. (SPA)
SDRPY’s transport sector projects and initiatives focus on rehabilitating nearly 200 kilometers of roads across various governorates. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia’s SDRPY Launches New Phase of Al-Abr Road Rehabilitation in Yemen

SDRPY’s transport sector projects and initiatives focus on rehabilitating nearly 200 kilometers of roads across various governorates. (SPA)
SDRPY’s transport sector projects and initiatives focus on rehabilitating nearly 200 kilometers of roads across various governorates. (SPA)

The Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen (SDRPY) kicked off a new phase of Al-Abr Road expansion and rehabilitation project in the Marib governorate, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

The new phase spans 40 kilometers, while the previous two phases totaled 90 kilometers. The project aims at boosting safe mobility along this vital road, improving infrastructure efficiency, and facilitating movement and commercial activity.

Al-Abr Road is a strategic route and an international link between Saudi Arabia and Yemen. It also connects Yemeni cities and governorates.

SDRPY’s transport sector projects and initiatives focus on rehabilitating nearly 200 kilometers of roads across various governorates and upgrading airports to improve transport infrastructure readiness.

They also include the rehabilitation of land ports, linking Yemen with the region and the world, and boosting economic and commercial movement.

SDRPY has delivered 268 projects and initiatives across Yemen, supporting eight essential sectors: education, health, transport, energy, water, agriculture and fisheries, development programs, and government capacity building and support.