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Saudi Passports Directorate Extends Visit Visa for Cases Affected by COVID-19

Sterilization and Disinfection of Saudi Airports and Aircraft to Prevent the Spread of the New Coronavirus. SPA
Sterilization and Disinfection of Saudi Airports and Aircraft to Prevent the Spread of the New Coronavirus. SPA
    Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Passports Directorate Extends Visit Visa for Cases Affected by COVID-19

Sterilization and Disinfection of Saudi Airports and Aircraft to Prevent the Spread of the New Coronavirus. SPA
Sterilization and Disinfection of Saudi Airports and Aircraft to Prevent the Spread of the New Coronavirus. SPA

Saudi Arabia Directorate General of Passports said it will allow the service of extending visit visas of all kinds of visitors who are inside the Kingdom.

This will take place through the Absher platform (Absher Individual, Absher Business, Expatriate) or by visiting the Passports' departments in the regions if the visa cannot be extended electronically, in line with the decision to suspend the international flights for travelers.

The Directorate General of Passports called on all expatriates in the Kingdom if their visit visas, of all kinds, are almost to expire or the period of their stay in Saudi Arabia exceeded the full period of the visit specified by (180) days and it was not possible to extend their visit visas through the services electronically, it is necessary to pay the fees for extending the visit visa for a similar period to the period specified in the basic visa for residency in the Kingdom and to visit the nearest department of the Passports to complete the necessary procedures to extend the validity of their visas.

The Passports Directorate affirmed that it is currently coordinating with the National Information Center to include the exceptional extension service of the visit visa within the electronic services through the portal of the Ministry of Interior in the Absher platform (Absher Individual, Absher Business, Expatriate).

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Gulf

Saudi, Palestinian FMs Discuss Latest Developments in Gaza

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Palestinian counterpart Dr. Mohammad Mustafa meet in Davos on Tuesday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Palestinian counterpart Dr. Mohammad Mustafa meet in Davos on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi, Palestinian FMs Discuss Latest Developments in Gaza

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Palestinian counterpart Dr. Mohammad Mustafa meet in Davos on Tuesday. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah and his Palestinian counterpart Dr. Mohammad Mustafa meet in Davos on Tuesday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah held talks on Tuesday with his Palestinian counterpart Dr. Mohammad Mustafa on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2026 in Davos.

The officials discussed bilateral ties and cooperation, as well as the latest developments in Gaza and the efforts to address the situation.

Gulf

'Spears of Victory 2026' Exercise Begins at Air Warfare Center in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Region

The “Spears of Victory 2026” military exercise kicks off at the Air Warfare Center in the Eastern Region. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)
The “Spears of Victory 2026” military exercise kicks off at the Air Warfare Center in the Eastern Region. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)
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'Spears of Victory 2026' Exercise Begins at Air Warfare Center in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Region

The “Spears of Victory 2026” military exercise kicks off at the Air Warfare Center in the Eastern Region. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)
The “Spears of Victory 2026” military exercise kicks off at the Air Warfare Center in the Eastern Region. (Saudi Ministry of Defense)

The Saudi Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday the launch of the “Spears of Victory 2026” military exercise at the Air Warfare Center in the Eastern Region.

The exercise is being conducted with the participation of branches of the Saudi Armed Forces, including land, air, naval, and air defense forces, as well as the Ministry of the National Guard, the Presidency of State Security, the Unified Military Command of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and military forces from 15 allied and partner countries.

Spears of Victory 2026, one of the largest air exercises in the region, aims to enhance military partnerships, strengthen the exchange of expertise in planning and execution, raise combat readiness, and achieve advanced levels of operational coordination and integration among participating forces.

The exercise focuses on unifying the concept of joint military action, boosting joint operational readiness, and executing and evaluating tactics to address current and emerging threats. It includes a series of advanced training activities, such as joint and combined tactical operations, specialized academic lectures, and operational missions designed to improve the performance of aircrews, technical, and support personnel.

The exercise also evaluates modern military tactics, including electronic and cyber warfare, within a multidimensional operational environment that simulates real operational conditions.

Forces participating in the exercise include those from Bahrain, Bangladesh, France, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Türkiye, the UK and United States.

The Air Warfare Center, one of the most advanced training facilities in the region, supports the development of combat plans, the assessment of capabilities, and the testing and evaluation of systems and weapons.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia Condemns Israel’s Demolition of UNRWA Buildings in Jerusalem

Heavy machinery operates as Israeli forces dismantle the Jerusalem headquarters of UNRWA, in East Jerusalem, January 20, 2026. (Reuters)
Heavy machinery operates as Israeli forces dismantle the Jerusalem headquarters of UNRWA, in East Jerusalem, January 20, 2026. (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Condemns Israel’s Demolition of UNRWA Buildings in Jerusalem

Heavy machinery operates as Israeli forces dismantle the Jerusalem headquarters of UNRWA, in East Jerusalem, January 20, 2026. (Reuters)
Heavy machinery operates as Israeli forces dismantle the Jerusalem headquarters of UNRWA, in East Jerusalem, January 20, 2026. (Reuters)

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed on Tuesday the Kingdom’s strong condemnation of Israel's demolition of buildings belonging to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood in Jerusalem.

“Saudi Arabia reiterates its rejection of Israeli violations of international and humanitarian norms and laws and holds the international community responsible for addressing these practices” and Israel’s continued crimes against international relief organizations, it said in a statement.

“Saudi Arabia expresses its support for UNRWA in its humanitarian mission to provide relief to the Palestinian people and calls on the international community to protect relief organizations, their workers and facilities,” it urged.