Saudi Govt Hails Arab Coalition for Thwarting Houthi Attacks against Civilians

King Salman chairs a cabinet meeting. (SPA)
King Salman chairs a cabinet meeting. (SPA)
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Saudi Govt Hails Arab Coalition for Thwarting Houthi Attacks against Civilians

King Salman chairs a cabinet meeting. (SPA)
King Salman chairs a cabinet meeting. (SPA)

The Saudi cabinet hailed on Tuesday the efforts of the Saudi-led Arab coalition in confronting attempts by the terrorist Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen to attack civilians and civilian locations.

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

The cabinet also hailed the coalition for neutralizing the Houthis' hostile capabilities while respecting international humanitarian law.

The cabinet thanked God for the bestowed blessings of security and stability on Saudi Arabia and the programs and projects included in the State General Budget for the 2022 fiscal year. The programs and projects aim to increase human development and continue economic growth and diversification. They seek to achieve financial sustainability and place further attention to the security and health of citizens and residents. They also demonstrate the determination to continue implementing economic initiatives and reforms to realize the targets of Saudi Vision 2030.

The ministers stressed the keenness on preserving and boosting the Kingdom’s gains, as well as continuing working with all resources and capabilities to achieve the goals and aspirations of citizens regarding continuous improvement in the quality of life, development of facilities and services, the educational environment, support for housing plans, increased investment and employment opportunities, and optimal utilization of available resources, in addition to raising the level of transparency and efficiency of government expenditure in order to promote growth and development rates.

The cabinet addressed the outcomes of the official visits of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the talks with the leaders of Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait. It praised the outcomes of the visits and the concluded agreements and initiatives.

The cabinet also commended the outcomes of 42nd Session of GCC Supreme Council, which was held in Riyadh, to boost Gulf action and push it towards wider horizons, in addition to support cooperation, interdependence, integration and coordination in all fields, in a manner that achieves the aspirations of the citizens of the GCC as well as the unity of ranks among its members, and consolidates security, stability and prosperity for the region and its peoples.

In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Acting Minister of Media Dr. Majid al-Qasabi said the cabinet reviewed the outcomes of the meetings of the Follow-up and Political Consultation Committee between Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Both sides were in agreement over a number of issues and crises facing the region and the world. The two countries agreed to continue their efforts to support the security and stability of the peoples of the region, stressing the importance of joint Arab action and rejecting any attempts by regional parties to interfere in the affairs of Arab countries.

The cabinet reviewed the latest regional and international developments, reiterating the Kingdom's permanent position on supporting the Yemeni government, Saudi Arabia's keenness to realize security, stability and development for the Yemeni people, and pushing all efforts to reach a political solution based on the Gulf Initiative and its executive mechanism, outcomes of the Comprehensive National Dialogue Conference, and UN Security Council Resolution 2216.

The cabinet highlighted Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian work across the globe, in light of its operation of an airlift and land bridge to Afghanistan. The cabinet underlined the Kingdom's speech at the Extraordinary Meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, as it called on the countries of the world and international organizations to meet the humanitarian needs and sustainable aid for Afghanistan and its people.



NAUDI Chairman to Asharq Al-Awsat: Ukraine Aims to Resume, Expand Defense Cooperation with Saudi Arabia

Chairman of the National Association of Ukrainian Defense Industries (NAUDI) Serhii Pashynskyi. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Chairman of the National Association of Ukrainian Defense Industries (NAUDI) Serhii Pashynskyi. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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NAUDI Chairman to Asharq Al-Awsat: Ukraine Aims to Resume, Expand Defense Cooperation with Saudi Arabia

Chairman of the National Association of Ukrainian Defense Industries (NAUDI) Serhii Pashynskyi. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Chairman of the National Association of Ukrainian Defense Industries (NAUDI) Serhii Pashynskyi. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Chairman of the National Association of Ukrainian Defense Industries (NAUDI) Serhii Pashynskyi revealed that Kyiv was counting on Saudi Arabia to achieve peace and stability in Ukraine given its role as a “significant and authoritative regional leader”.

In an interview to Asharq Al-Awsat, he said: “We aim in the near future to define concrete plans for the renewal and further expansion of Ukrainian-Saudi defense cooperation.”

He made his remarks as NAUDI took part in the World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh.

“We are open to considering opportunities for establishing joint ventures, developing specific technologies, and localizing production on the territory of Saudi Arabia. We are ready to deepen cooperation that has been actively developing since 2014,” Pashynskyi said.

“Our participation in World Defense Show 2026 has a clear objective: to demonstrate the technological capability of Ukraine’s defense sector, which has undergone real testing in wartime conditions. At the joint NAUDI stand, we present our latest developments with confirmed combat experience, share practical insights into their operational use, and discuss tactics of employment,” he explained.

“Today, member companies of the Association already maintain dozens of international contracts in the format of industrial cooperation, and the geography of our partnerships continues to expand. This is precisely the message we seek to convey to our international and regional partners,” he stated.

Saudi-Ukrainian military cooperation

Commenting on military cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Ukraine, he said: “Prior to the full-scale invasion, there was active and effective cooperation between Ukraine’s defense-industrial complex and the Kingdom’s defense institutions and companies.”

“We are interested in restoring these contacts. In line with the position of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, regarding controlled exports, we aim in the near future to define concrete plans for the renewal and further expansion of Ukrainian-Saudi defense cooperation,” he went on to say.

Moreover, Pashynskyi revealed that an official intergovernmental agreement between the Ukrainian and Saudi governments on cooperation in the field of defense was signed in Kyiv on February 5, 2020, and duly approved by the respective governments.

“The agreement establishes a comprehensive legal framework for bilateral defense interaction. It covers cooperation between the defense industries of both countries, military education and personnel training, exchange of information in the field of defense technologies, transfer of specific military technologies and equipment, including electronic, radar, and telecommunications systems, as well as issues related to defense medical support,” he explained.

“Ukraine highly values the principled and consistent position of Saudi Arabia, which is based on unwavering respect for the provisions of the UN Charter and the fundamental principles of international law, particularly with regard to ensuring territorial integrity and protecting state sovereignty,” he added.

“An important moral and humanitarian component of Ukrainian-Saudi relations is the Kingdom’s sincere solidarity with the Ukrainian people, which is reflected in the humanitarian assistance provided, particularly to support internally displaced persons,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Ukrainian products at the World Defense Show

Elaborating on the Ukrainian products displayed at the World Defense Show, Pashynskyi said: “NAUDI member companies produce a full spectrum of defense products, from 7-inch FPV drones to the Bohdana self-propelled artillery system, which is physically displayed at the exhibition.”

“Ukraine has become a global pioneer in the mass combat use of FPV drones, as well as in the development and deployment of maritime unmanned platforms. We possess unique and extremely valuable experience in operating these systems under real combat conditions,” he stressed. “The private sector accounts for more than 70% of Ukraine’s total defense-industrial production.”

Among the key exhibits are the Bohdana self-propelled howitzer, manufactured in significant quantities by the company Ukrainian Armor and actively employed in combat operations; the Varta armored vehicle; the Protector unmanned ground system; the MAC maritime drone; reconnaissance UAVs Shark, PD-2, mini Shark, and Furia; the Krechet air defense command-and-control system; heavy drones Kazhan and Shmavik; UAV munitions produced by UBM; FPV drones manufactured by General Cherry; and electronic warfare systems developed by Piranya Tech.

Preserving lives

Pashynskyi revealed that more than 50% of the needs of Ukraine’s Defense Forces are currently met by the domestic defense-industrial complex, from FPV drones to cruise missiles, 155-mm artillery systems, ammunition, electronic warfare (EW) and electronic intelligence (ELINT) systems.

“According to last year’s results, NAUDI member companies supplied the Defense Forces with products worth approximately EUR 4 billion,” he said. “Since 2022, the industry has undergone large-scale relocation and deployment of new production facilities. Today, Ukraine is without exaggeration one of the world’s leaders in the pace of weapons and ammunition production.”

“Our primary priority is preserving the lives of service members. That is why special emphasis is placed on unmanned systems that enhance soldier effectiveness without replacing the soldier,” he continued.

“A key advantage is the direct connection with frontline units. This allows manufacturers to receive real-time feedback and rapidly modernize their solutions. While R&D processes in other countries may take years, for Ukrainian companies the path from concept to serial production often takes just 3 to 6 months.”

“Some companies have increased FPV drone production from several thousand units in 2023 to over 500,000 units in 2025 and these are not isolated cases,” Pashynskyi revealed.


Saudi Leadership Congratulates President of Iran on National Day 

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
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Saudi Leadership Congratulates President of Iran on National Day 

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent on Wednesday a cable of congratulations to Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on his country's National Day.

King Salman wished the president continued good health and happiness, and the government and people of Iran steady progress and prosperity.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent Pezeshkian a similar cable on the occasion.


Qatar Emir, Trump Discuss De-escalation as Larijani Heads to Doha 

A handout photo made available by Iran's Supreme National Security Council office shows Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani (C) arriving in Muscat, Oman, 10 February 2026. (EPA/ Iran's Supreme National Security Council office / Handout)
A handout photo made available by Iran's Supreme National Security Council office shows Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani (C) arriving in Muscat, Oman, 10 February 2026. (EPA/ Iran's Supreme National Security Council office / Handout)
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Qatar Emir, Trump Discuss De-escalation as Larijani Heads to Doha 

A handout photo made available by Iran's Supreme National Security Council office shows Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani (C) arriving in Muscat, Oman, 10 February 2026. (EPA/ Iran's Supreme National Security Council office / Handout)
A handout photo made available by Iran's Supreme National Security Council office shows Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani (C) arriving in Muscat, Oman, 10 February 2026. (EPA/ Iran's Supreme National Security Council office / Handout)

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and US President Donald Trump discussed efforts for regional de-escalation and stability in a phone call, the Emiri Diwan said on Wednesday, as Washington and Tehran pursue diplomatic solutions to Iran's nuclear program.

They underscored the importance of continued coordination and consultation on issues of mutual interest, as well as supporting diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving crises through dialogue and peaceful means, said Qatar’s state news agency QNA.

The call comes ahead of a meeting between Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu where ‌the Israeli ‌prime minister is expected ‌to ⁠press him to widen ⁠US talks with Iran to include curbs on Tehran's missile arsenal and other security threats beyond its nuclear program.

Qatar has been engaging in diplomatic efforts with regional allies to ease tensions between ⁠Washington and Tehran to avert the ‌threat of a ‌military confrontation between the longtime adversaries.

Ali Larijani, an ‌adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader ‌Ali Khamenei, arrived in Qatar on Wednesday and was expected to meet with Sheikh Tamim, as Washington and Tehran prepare to resume ‌negotiations.

The two countries held indirect talks in Oman last week, which ⁠a ⁠spokesperson for Iran's foreign ministry said had allowed Tehran to gauge Washington's seriousness and showed enough consensus for diplomacy to continue.

Doha has also been mediating between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza war, alongside the US and Egypt.