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Positive Atmosphere Prevails in Pakistan Ahead of Emergency Meeting on Afghanistan

A view of the opening session of the senior officials meeting preparatory to the extraordinary meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, convened by Saudi Arabia and hosted by Pakistan. (OIC)
A view of the opening session of the senior officials meeting preparatory to the extraordinary meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, convened by Saudi Arabia and hosted by Pakistan. (OIC)
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Positive Atmosphere Prevails in Pakistan Ahead of Emergency Meeting on Afghanistan

A view of the opening session of the senior officials meeting preparatory to the extraordinary meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, convened by Saudi Arabia and hosted by Pakistan. (OIC)
A view of the opening session of the senior officials meeting preparatory to the extraordinary meeting of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, convened by Saudi Arabia and hosted by Pakistan. (OIC)

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has spoken of a positive atmosphere prevailing in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, ahead of the 17th extraordinary session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers.

Several foreign ministers from the 57-member OIC are meeting in Islamabad on Sunday to explore ways to aid Afghanistan, while navigating the difficult political realities of its Taliban-run government.

The Secretary-General, Hissein Brahim Taha, expressed the OIC’s gratitude and thanks to Saudi Arabia, chairman of the Islamic Summit and to Pakistan for their great efforts to hold the meeting, which will be attended by several member states, observer states and international organizations.

He also expressed his optimism that the meeting will have positive outcomes to accelerate relief efforts for the Afghan people.

The member states’ great interest and keenness to participate in this meeting reflect the sense of solidarity with the Afghan people, Taha noted.

The organization called on its member and non-member states to mobilize the necessary financial resources to prepare and implement an urgent humanitarian aid plan to support the Afghan people.

Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian, Cultural and Social Affairs of the OIC Ambassador Tarig Bakheet stressed that the Afghan people are in dire need of relief and peace after decades of war, suffering and insecurity.

His remarks were made in his speech during the opening session of the senior staff preparatory meeting for the extraordinary session that was held in Islamabad on Saturday.

“It is crucial that the international community take urgent action to intensify humanitarian support and ensure that the Afghan people have unhindered access to life-saving aid,” Bakheet stressed.

The OIC humanitarian office in Kabul will provide the necessary aid to millions of people in need, in coordination with various international agencies, he affirmed.

Bakheet said he is confident the OIC, the United Nations and regional partners, as well as the main relevant parties, will take all necessary steps to find sustainable solutions to the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, in which millions of lives are at risk.

He thanked Saudi Arabia for its major initiative and Pakistan for hosting the extraordinary session.

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Gulf

Türkiye, Qatar Sign Mutual Defense Agreement

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan meets with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Istanbul, Türkiye, November 13, 2026. (Murat Cetinmuhurdar/Turkish Presidential Press Office/Handout via Reuters)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan meets with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Istanbul, Türkiye, November 13, 2026. (Murat Cetinmuhurdar/Turkish Presidential Press Office/Handout via Reuters)
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Türkiye, Qatar Sign Mutual Defense Agreement

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan meets with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Istanbul, Türkiye, November 13, 2026. (Murat Cetinmuhurdar/Turkish Presidential Press Office/Handout via Reuters)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan meets with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Istanbul, Türkiye, November 13, 2026. (Murat Cetinmuhurdar/Turkish Presidential Press Office/Handout via Reuters)

Türkiye and Qatar announced on Friday that they signed a mutual defense agreement, which they said was aimed at adopting a "unified position" in the face of an external attack.

The announcement came after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Istanbul.

Erdogan had said the agreement would further strengthen ties between them, according to his office.

Qatar's ruler travelled to Istanbul after attending the United Nations COP31 climate summit in southern Türkiye.

"The two parties hailed the signing of the mutual defense agreement between Qatar and Türkiye," according to a joint statement carried by Qatar's state news agency.

The agreement was "aimed at bolstering collective defense and achieving regional security and stability, as well as adopting a unified position in the face of any external armed attack targeting either or both parties", the statement said.

"The two parties agreed to hold consultations on threats to their security... and to strengthen cooperation through joint military exercises, collaboration in the field of defense industries, and the exchange of personnel training."

Erdogan's office had earlier announced the agreement, without going into the details of its contents.

"A mutual defense agreement signed by Türkiye and Qatar today will add a new dimension to the brotherly ties between the two countries," Erdogan said during the meeting, according to the statement from his office.

Erdogan also said Türkiye and Qatar would expand cooperation in the defense industry.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia, Türkiye Seek to Develop Defense Industries, Localize Technology

A group photo of the Saudi and Turkish delegations attending the Türkiye-Saudi Arabia Defense Industry Days in Istanbul. (Türkiye's Presidency of Defense Industries)
A group photo of the Saudi and Turkish delegations attending the Türkiye-Saudi Arabia Defense Industry Days in Istanbul. (Türkiye's Presidency of Defense Industries)
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Saudi Arabia, Türkiye Seek to Develop Defense Industries, Localize Technology

A group photo of the Saudi and Turkish delegations attending the Türkiye-Saudi Arabia Defense Industry Days in Istanbul. (Türkiye's Presidency of Defense Industries)
A group photo of the Saudi and Turkish delegations attending the Türkiye-Saudi Arabia Defense Industry Days in Istanbul. (Türkiye's Presidency of Defense Industries)

Saudi Arabia and Türkiye are seeking closer cooperation in defense manufacturing and local production, as growing opportunities in the sector and mounting regional challenges drive the two countries to strengthen their partnership.

Bandar Alkhorayef, Saudi minister of state, cabinet member and acting governor of the General Authority for Military Industries (GAMI), said cooperation with Türkiye had gained momentum since Riyadh unveiled its industrial and mining strategies, with both countries stepping up efforts to develop their defense industries.

Private sector takes center stage

Alkhorayef praised Türkiye's success in developing its defense industry, saying regional challenges underscored the need for closer cooperation to localize production across a range of industrial sectors.

He was speaking at the two-day Türkiye-Saudi Arabia Defense Industry Days in Istanbul, which concluded on Thursday evening after bringing together more than 100 Turkish companies and 25 Saudi firms to explore cooperation opportunities.

Alkhorayef said Saudi Arabia had made significant strides in attracting investment to its defense industry and was seeking to build on that progress through partnerships between Saudi and Turkish companies.

The event, jointly organized by Foreign Economic Relations Board of Türkiye (DEİK), Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) and defense industry cluster SAHA Istanbul, reflected growing defense ties between the two countries, particularly in manufacturing, technology transfer and local production.

It followed the signing of the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement by Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan on Aug. 7.

Alkhorayef said private companies would spearhead investment and development in the defense sector, stressing that Saudi-Turkish cooperation rested on shared interests.

The two governments' main task was to clear the way for private investment by focusing on three priorities: identifying key areas for cooperation and investment; providing the infrastructure and financing businesses need; and securing contracts that would give companies the confidence to invest and greater visibility over future demand, he explained.

Saudi Arabia's priorities

Alkhorayef said Saudi Arabia was directing investment toward priority technologies, both for immediate needs and the near future, while underscoring the critical role of education and human capital in shaping the defense industry's future.

He said emerging technologies would significantly transform military and defense manufacturing, with skilled workers, young talent and education playing a decisive role in that shift.

Both Saudi Arabia and Türkiye have considerable opportunities in these fields, he remarked.

Alkhorayef said the Kingdom was looking to attract defense companies with established expertise and advanced technological capabilities, highlighting the role of SAMI and its RUKN Local Content Program in expanding investment and cooperation opportunities.

Speaking at SAMI's RUKN Supplier Day, held alongside the Istanbul event, Alkhorayef said Saudi Arabia was continuing, with the support of its leadership, to build advanced domestic industrial capabilities and attract high-value investment to its defense sector.

The push is aimed at meeting a key Saudi Vision 2030 target: localizing more than 50% of defense industries by 2030.

Alkhorayef said the Saudi-Turkish partnership in military manufacturing centered on close cooperation, technology and knowledge transfer, and workforce development, all aimed at advancing localization and making companies more competitive internationally.

He hoped that the growing relationship would translate into lasting investments and long-term partnerships.

Türkiye seeks deeper partnership

Haluk Gorgun, president of Türkiye's Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), said Ankara was working to forge sustainable defense industry partnerships with Saudi Arabia by sharing expertise and expanding cooperation in technology, research and development.

He pointed to Türkiye's substantial advances in defense manufacturing over the past two decades as a foundation for closer ties.

Gorgun called for broader cooperation with Saudi Arabia across procurement, research and development, workforce training and program management.

He said the Türkiye-Saudi Arabia Defense Industry Days had placed particular emphasis on bringing small and medium-sized enterprises from both countries closer together, strengthening supply chains and opening up opportunities for joint projects.

Potential areas of cooperation include research and development, talent and skills development, management of research infrastructure and programs, improved procurement and program management, and joint investment opportunities.

Gorgun said the Presidency of Defense Industries was developing programs to connect Turkish companies with local Saudi partners, noting that successful models of cooperation were already in place.

He said Türkiye had held several similar events with Saudi Arabia over the past three years and continued to organize them. The two countries have held more than 75 meetings on defense industries during that period.

Gulf

Arab Parliament Moves to Designate Houthis as a Terrorist Organization

A person passes by a display of Houthi-made mock drones and missiles at a square in Sanaa, Yemen, 08 November 2026. (EPA)
A person passes by a display of Houthi-made mock drones and missiles at a square in Sanaa, Yemen, 08 November 2026. (EPA)
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Arab Parliament Moves to Designate Houthis as a Terrorist Organization

A person passes by a display of Houthi-made mock drones and missiles at a square in Sanaa, Yemen, 08 November 2026. (EPA)
A person passes by a display of Houthi-made mock drones and missiles at a square in Sanaa, Yemen, 08 November 2026. (EPA)

The Arab Parliament has launched a broad regional and international parliamentary action plan to confront the Houthi militia and its repeated attacks against Saudi Arabia.

The initiative aims to rally a firm international stance against the group's assaults, work toward designating it as a terrorist organization, dry up its sources of funding and armament, and hold those responsible for its crimes and violations accountable under international law.

The plan tackles four main tracks, starting with the diplomatic track, which targets global decision-making capitals through direct engagement with the parliaments of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

The plan aims to leverage parliamentary diplomacy to rally regional and international support for designating the Houthi militia as a terrorist organization among countries and international bodies that have not yet done so, foremost among them the European Union, through direct engagement with the European Parliament presidency and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

It seeks to urge relevant European institutions to complete the necessary legal procedures to add the militia to the bloc's official list of terrorist organizations under established legal mechanisms, and to expand restrictive measures and sanctions against its leaders as well as entities linked to and supporting its terrorist activities.

The parliament also aims to activate international justice and legal accountability mechanisms by compiling a comprehensive, documented legal file detailing Houthi attacks and violations, which amount to full-fledged war crimes and other offenses within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, and submitting a formal referral to the Office of the ICC Prosecutor.

The parliament stressed that the repercussions of Houthi attacks extend beyond threatening Saudi Arabia's security, sovereignty, and the safety of its citizens and residents. They pose a direct threat to maritime and air navigation, the stability of global energy supplies, supply chains, and international trade, undermining Arab national security, as well as regional and international peace and security.