Interior Ministry: 10,000 Saudis Travelled Abroad After after Easing Travel Restrictions

Citizens at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh (Photo: Saad al-Dossary)
Citizens at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh (Photo: Saad al-Dossary)
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Interior Ministry: 10,000 Saudis Travelled Abroad After after Easing Travel Restrictions

Citizens at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh (Photo: Saad al-Dossary)
Citizens at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh (Photo: Saad al-Dossary)

The Saudi Ministry of Interior announced that 10,452 citizens have travelled abroad via land crossings and airports 24 hours after Riyadh eased travel restrictions on Monday.

The ministry stated on its Twitter account, that 1,938 citizens travelled to the UAE, 1,545 to Egypt, 299 to Qatar, 233 to the United States, and 165 to the United Kingdom.

It added that 5,717 citizens left through five land ports: 3,362 through King Fahd Causeway, 689 via al-Batha, 673 al-Haditha, 325 Salwa, and 270 al-Khafji border crossings.

Saudi Arabia had banned citizens and residents from travelling abroad for the past 14 months out of concerns for the coronavirus pandemic.

On Monday, the government permitted citizens immunized against Covid-19 and children under 18 to travel abroad.

The Interior Ministry said three categories of people would be considered immunized -- those who have received two doses of a coronavirus vaccine, those administered a single dose at least 14 days prior to travel, and people who have recovered from the infection within the previous six months.

Travelers must provide an insurance policy approved by the Saudi Central Bank, covering the risks of COVID-19 abroad.

The Ministry indicated that those travelling to Bahrain must be above 18 and must present proof via the Tawakkalna app about their health status whether they are immunized, fully vaccinated, or recovering patients.

It stated that all precautions and preventive measures related to travel will be subject to continuous evaluation by the Public Health Authority (Weqaya), according to the developments of the epidemiological situation.



Saudi Foreign Minister, Slovak Deputy Prime Minister Sign General Cooperation Agreement

The two sides signed a general cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation and mutual understanding across various fields - SPA
The two sides signed a general cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation and mutual understanding across various fields - SPA
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Saudi Foreign Minister, Slovak Deputy Prime Minister Sign General Cooperation Agreement

The two sides signed a general cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation and mutual understanding across various fields - SPA
The two sides signed a general cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing cooperation and mutual understanding across various fields - SPA

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met in Riyadh Monday Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of the Slovak Republic Robert Kaliňák.

They reviewed ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in a manner that serves their mutual interests and discussed regional and international developments, SPA reported.

The two sides signed a general cooperation agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Government of the Slovak Republic, aimed at enhancing cooperation and mutual understanding across various fields.


Khalid bin Salman Visits Saudi Interior Ministry Pavilion at World Defense Show

Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making. SPA
Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making. SPA
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Khalid bin Salman Visits Saudi Interior Ministry Pavilion at World Defense Show

Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making. SPA
Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making. SPA

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz visited the Ministry of Interior's pavilion at the World Defense Show, held in Riyadh.

Prince Khalid was briefed on the ministry’s operational capabilities to enhance decision-making, command and control, and predictive intelligence, all aimed at protecting residents across the Kingdom.

During his tour, he explored how the ministry is advancing proactive security and efficient emergency management through innovative technical solutions.

The tour also underscored the role of the unified security operations centers (911) in the national response system and the ministry's commitment to international partnerships in security and smart systems.


OIC Condemns Israeli Cabinet's Legalization of Settlements

 Israeli soldier points his weapon towards the camera, during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 7, 2026. (Reuters)
Israeli soldier points his weapon towards the camera, during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 7, 2026. (Reuters)
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OIC Condemns Israeli Cabinet's Legalization of Settlements

 Israeli soldier points his weapon towards the camera, during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 7, 2026. (Reuters)
Israeli soldier points his weapon towards the camera, during a weekly settlers' tour in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, February 7, 2026. (Reuters)

The General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned on Monday the Israeli cabinet’s approval of measures that aim to deepen Israeli control over the occupied West Bank and weaken the already limited powers of the Palestinian Authority.

The OIC said Israel’s “colonial settlement policy constitutes a war crime and a flagrant violation of international law and relevant United Nations resolutions, foremost among which is Security Council Resolution 2334 and the legal opinion issued by the International Court of Justice.”

It renewed its call on the international community, particularly the Security Council, “to shoulder its responsibilities and take immediate action to put an end to all crimes and violations committed by Israel against the Palestinian people, their land, and their holy sites.”

The office of Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich in a statement announced the decisions that would make it easier for Jewish settlers to force Palestinians to give up land, adding that “we will continue to bury the idea of a Palestinian state.”

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in a statement called the decision “dangerous” and an “open Israeli attempt to legalize settlement expansion” and land confiscation. He called for the United States and UN Security Council to intervene immediately.

The decision was announced a few days before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet with US President Donald Trump in Washington about Iran and other matters.

The measures announced Sunday include canceling a prohibition on sales of West Bank land to Israeli Jews, declassifying West Bank land registry records to ease land acquisition, transferring construction planning at religious and other sensitive sites in the volatile city of Hebron to Israeli authorities, and allowing Israeli enforcement of environmental and archaeological matters in Palestinian-administered areas.

The measures also would revive a committee that would allow the state of Israel to make “proactive” land purchases in the territory — “a step intended to guarantee land reserves for settlement for generations to come.”