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Saudi Arabia Reiterates Support for Washington’s Terror Designation of Houthis

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Reiterates Support for Washington’s Terror Designation of Houthis

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. (SPA)

The Saudi cabinet reiterated on Tuesday the Kingdom’s support for the United States’ move to designate the Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen as terrorist.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chaired the cabinet meeting that was held virtually due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The ministers hoped the designation would help rein in the terrorist militias and their backers and curtail their danger against the Yemeni people, international peace and security and the global economy.

They also hoped that the designation would help support ongoing political efforts aimed at resolving the Yemeni crisis and reaching a solution based on the three references.

King Salman briefed the cabinet on the telephone call he received from Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah. The two leaders tackled the outcomes of last week’s 41st Gulf Cooperation Council summit that was held in AlUla, Saudi Arabia. The leaders at the meeting agreed to resolve the Gulf rift, with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt ending their diplomatic and economic ties with Qatar.

The ministers also thanked King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, for their support to the health sector and their constant concern since the beginning of the pandemic with ensuring the health of citizens and residents.

They hailed their move to take the necessary health precautions to protect lives and procure vaccines, which will be available for free.

Moreover, they praised King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed for taking the vaccine, which is in line with their keenness on prevention and bolstering public health.

The cabinet reviewed the latest local and international developments related to the pandemic and the Kingdom’s efforts to open more vaccination stations throughout Saudi territories.

The ministers also lauded Crown Prince Mohammed’s launch of “The Line” zero-carbon city at NEOM and highlighted the Kingdom’s announcement that the travel ban in place over the pandemic would be lifted in March.

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Gulf

Gulf Calls on Russia to Play Role in Stopping Attacks by Iran, Starting Dialogue with it

GCC Foreign Ministers and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the 9th Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between the GCC and Russia in Manama on Sunday. (Russian Foreign Ministry)
GCC Foreign Ministers and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the 9th Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between the GCC and Russia in Manama on Sunday. (Russian Foreign Ministry)
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Gulf Calls on Russia to Play Role in Stopping Attacks by Iran, Starting Dialogue with it

GCC Foreign Ministers and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the 9th Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between the GCC and Russia in Manama on Sunday. (Russian Foreign Ministry)
GCC Foreign Ministers and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at the 9th Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between the GCC and Russia in Manama on Sunday. (Russian Foreign Ministry)

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries called on Russia on Sunday to play an active role in urging Iran to cease its attacks on regional countries and to adhere to UN Security Council resolutions.

They also urged Iran to respect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and to engage in a dialogue with Gulf states based on the principles of good neighborliness, respect for sovereignty, and non-interference in internal affairs.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stressed that Russia supports the peace efforts exerted by Arab countries to prevent the Middle East from sliding into a major war.

The call came during the 9th Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between the GCC and Russia, which was hosted by the Bahraini capital, Manama. The meeting took place amid escalating regional tensions and ongoing threats facing the security of Gulf states, international navigation, and energy supplies.

Chaired by Bahrain’s FM Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, the meeting underlined the importance of working with Moscow in de-escalation efforts and addressing regional crises through political and diplomatic means.

Lavrov stressed the need to grant Gulf states a decisive role in determining regional security arrangements.

Officials are seen at the 9th Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between the GCC and Russia in Manama on Sunday. (GCC)

Deepening contacts with the GCC remains a priority for Russian diplomacy, he added, pointing out that his country supports efforts to prevent the region from sliding into a large-scale war.

"We must give the Gulf states the decisive word and the firm decision in ensuring the security of the region," he remarked, expressing his country's determination to move forward in strengthening the strategic dialogue with the Gulf states.

In the same context, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Moscow and Riyadh expressed their concern over the tensions in the southern Arabian Peninsula and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

The Bahraini Foreign Minister valued the Russian positions calling for de-escalation, stressing that the security of the GCC states is a pillar of international security.

Addressing crises requires respecting the sovereignty of states and refraining from interfering in their internal affairs, he noted.

Gulf

Bahrain, UAE, Oman Offer Condolences to Saudi Arabia over Najran Helicopter Crash Victims

General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Bahrain, UAE, Oman Offer Condolences to Saudi Arabia over Najran Helicopter Crash Victims

General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
General view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

Bahrain, the UAE and Oman extended condolences to Saudi Arabia over the death of two officers in a helicopter crash in the Najran region due to technical failure, the Saudi Press Agency reported Monday.

In statements issued by their foreign ministries, the three countries expressed deep sympathy with Saudi Arabia's leadership, government, and people.
They affirmed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia in this painful loss, praying that Allah Almighty bestow His mercy on the two officers and grant their families patience and solace.

On Sunday, official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki said in a ⁠statement that a Saudi AH-6i helicopter crashed in Najran due to technical malfunction, killing its two crew members.

The helicopter crashed in an area under the jurisdiction of the Saudi National ⁠Guard Ministry, the statement added.

Gulf

Gulf Countries Demand to Be Included in Any Negotiations with Iran that Must Cover its Missile Program

Foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) pose for a photo at the 168th GCC Ministerial Council in Manama on Sunday. (BNA)
Foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) pose for a photo at the 168th GCC Ministerial Council in Manama on Sunday. (BNA)
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Gulf Countries Demand to Be Included in Any Negotiations with Iran that Must Cover its Missile Program

Foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) pose for a photo at the 168th GCC Ministerial Council in Manama on Sunday. (BNA)
Foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) pose for a photo at the 168th GCC Ministerial Council in Manama on Sunday. (BNA)

Foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) called on Sunday for designating the Houthi group as a terrorist organization and halting the support that allows it to acquire missiles and drones.

Meeting in Bahrain for the 168th GCC Ministerial Council, they demanded that Iran cease its aggression against regional countries and compensate for the resulting damages.

The ministers stressed the need to involve Gulf states in any negotiations or arrangements affecting their security.

Any understandings with Iran must encompass its nuclear and missile programs, as well as its drones and support for regional proxies, while expressing support for diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalation, they added in a statement.

They condemned the ongoing Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia, including the targeting of the Two Holy Mosques, civilian airports, and vital installations, which resulted in civilian casualties. The council expressed its condolences to the families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

The council underscored the full solidarity of the Gulf states with Saudi Arabia and backed all measures it takes to protect its security and sovereignty.

It stressed that any attack on a member state constitutes an attack on all council states under the Joint Defense Agreement, while emphasizing the council states' right to individual and collective self-defense under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.

The ministers welcomed the presidential statement by the UN Security Council on October 15, which condemned the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including the targeting of Aramco facilities, and stressed the Kingdom's right to self-defense.

They also demanded the strict implementation of the arms embargo against the Houthis and expressed support for reaching a political solution to the Yemeni crisis in line with the three references.

On Iran, the Ministerial Council held Tehran fully responsible for the attacks on the Gulf states and Jordan. It demanded accountability for those responsible and urged that Iran be compelled to repair the resulting damages in accordance with Human Rights Council Resolution 61/1 of 2026.

The ministers stressed the importance of protecting navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, Red Sea, and Bab al-Mandeb Strait, warning against closing these waterways, obstructing navigation within them, targeting commercial vessels and their crews, or planting mines.

They rejected the imposition of unlawful fees or restrictions on the transit of ships, as well as subjecting transit passage to prior permission or mandated routes. Furthermore, they demanded the restoration of freedom of navigation and the return of conditions in the Strait of Hormuz to what they were prior to February 28.