Saudi Arabia Inoculates Over 540,000 Citizens

The first dose of the coronavirus vaccine is administered at the newly inaugurated inoculation center in al-Baha. (SPA)
The first dose of the coronavirus vaccine is administered at the newly inaugurated inoculation center in al-Baha. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Inoculates Over 540,000 Citizens

The first dose of the coronavirus vaccine is administered at the newly inaugurated inoculation center in al-Baha. (SPA)
The first dose of the coronavirus vaccine is administered at the newly inaugurated inoculation center in al-Baha. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia is witnessing a high turnout in people registering through the Sehhaty platform to receive the coronavirus vaccine. So far, 541,411 people have been vaccinated, announced the Ministry of Health spokesman.

Speaking at a press conference, Mohammed Abdelali said Saudi Arabia is expanding its COVID-19 vaccination centers in many regions in the Kingdom, with four new ones inaugurated in the northern borders province with the aim to receive 2,700 visitors per day.

Abdelali said the ministry is still monitoring an increase in infections in some areas, asserting that the current phase “must be followed with greater caution and vigilance,” which requires full adherence to the precautionary measures.

Saudi Arabia reported four new COVID-19-related deaths bringing the toll to 6,461 and 315 new infections, raising the tally to 375,006.

It confirmed 2,451 active cases, 508 of which are in critical condition, while 349 patients have recovered from the disease, bringing the total to 366,094.

Meanwhile, the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) announced that over 17 million users have registered in the Tawakkalna application since its launch nine months ago, reflecting the high reliability of the application in the fight against the pandemic.

The application, approved by the Ministry, is part of a framework of international health efforts to confront the pandemic.

It has managed the process of granting e-permits during curfew periods for public servants, private sector employees and individuals.

Meanwhile, security authorities have monitored a significant drop in the number of violations of precautionary and preventive measures against the coronavirus. Over 44,000 violations were recorded during the past week.

The Riyadh region topped the number of violations, with 17,851, followed by Makkah with 10,656, and the eastern region with 5,095 cases. The Najran region recorded the lowest with only 178.

The Ministry of Interior stressed that citizens and residents must adhere to the preventive measures and instructions issued by the concerned authorities in this regard.



Flydubai Co-Pilot Planned Suicide Attack on Tel Aviv Airport, Says UAE Prosecutor

Planes sit on the tarmac at Ben Gurion International Airport after a Flydubai aircraft bound for Israel from the United Arab Emirates was diverted to Saudi Arabia following an emergency signal, in Lod, near Tel Aviv, Israel, September 30, 2026. (Reuters)
Planes sit on the tarmac at Ben Gurion International Airport after a Flydubai aircraft bound for Israel from the United Arab Emirates was diverted to Saudi Arabia following an emergency signal, in Lod, near Tel Aviv, Israel, September 30, 2026. (Reuters)
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Flydubai Co-Pilot Planned Suicide Attack on Tel Aviv Airport, Says UAE Prosecutor

Planes sit on the tarmac at Ben Gurion International Airport after a Flydubai aircraft bound for Israel from the United Arab Emirates was diverted to Saudi Arabia following an emergency signal, in Lod, near Tel Aviv, Israel, September 30, 2026. (Reuters)
Planes sit on the tarmac at Ben Gurion International Airport after a Flydubai aircraft bound for Israel from the United Arab Emirates was diverted to Saudi Arabia following an emergency signal, in Lod, near Tel Aviv, Israel, September 30, 2026. (Reuters)

The co-pilot who attacked the captain of a flydubai jet last week had planned to crash the plane into Tel Aviv's international airport, the United Arab Emirates' top prosecutor said on Friday.

In the aftermath of the incident, people on board -- the majority of whom were Israeli -- described a sudden plunge in altitude and a fight for control of the aircraft, which was forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. The passengers were repatriated on a second flydubai flight hours later.

The unnamed Omani co-pilot, now in custody in the UAE, had drawn inspiration from Al-Qaeda's September 11, 2001, suicide attacks on the United States, and carried out his attempt "with the aim of causing the greatest possible loss of life", according to the Emirati prosecutor's findings published by state media.

The prosecutor found that the co-pilot had first begun to be radicalized while studying in Australia "through reading extremist literature and following online content glorifying terrorist organizations and suicide attacks".

He said last week's flight had been the co-pilot's third to Tel Aviv, and that he had used the two earlier trips to plan the attack.

During the flight, the suspect used an emergency axe to attack the plane's Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, who fought back and tried to call for help.

Another pilot assigned to the return flight, who was also on board, "noticed the cockpit door opening and closing repeatedly in an unusual manner", according to the findings.

After gaining entry, he "intervened with the assistance of a cabin crew member and several passengers, and together they rescued the injured captain and restrained the suspect".

The return flight captain and his co-pilot then landed the plane at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.

- No sign of intentions -

Israel and the UAE normalized ties under the US-brokered Abraham Accords in 2020, and Israel carries out stringent security checks on those travelling to the country.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously said that the co-pilot -- identified in reports as Hamam al-Hammami -- must have gotten around restrictions preventing individuals from nations that do not recognize Israel operating flights to the country.

The UAE prosecutor's "findings showed that he had met the professional and security requirements for employment, including holding a pilot's license, providing a certificate of good conduct and completing the required checks".

"However, none of the procedures revealed any indications of his extremist views or his intention to carry out a terrorist plot."

After the incident, Netanyahu had hailed the passengers and the plane's captain for their bravery in averting what would have otherwise been a catastrophe.

He later ordered a "thorough review of all security aspects of foreign civil aviation to Israel" in response to the incident.


Coalition: 3 Houthi Missile Launchers Destroyed

Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Coalition: 3 Houthi Missile Launchers Destroyed

Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Official Spokesperson for the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki stated on Friday that three missile launchers used by Yemen’s Houthi militia to threaten regional security have been destroyed.

He added that Houthi attacks on civilians and civilian objects will be met with a firm response.


Civil Aviation Authority: 3 Saudis Killed in Thursday's Attacks on Riyadh Airport

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Civil Aviation Authority: 3 Saudis Killed in Thursday's Attacks on Riyadh Airport

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Arabia's civil aviation authority said Friday that three of the Kingdom's nationals were killed in attacks the day before on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport.

"The attacks resulted in the martyrdom of three Saudi citizens," the General Authority of Civil Aviation said, adding the attacks targeted the airport's facilities and a plane belonging to national flag carrier Saudia.

The first attack targeted airport facilities, while the second struck the aircraft, the statement said.

It noted “injuries to a number of citizens and residents of different nationalities. Their injuries ranged from minor to serious.”

It also indicated that operational activities had returned to normal.