Gulf, Arab Countries Express Solidarity with Saudi Arabia against Houthi Attacks

Bahrain's capital Manama. (Getty Images)
Bahrain's capital Manama. (Getty Images)
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Gulf, Arab Countries Express Solidarity with Saudi Arabia against Houthi Attacks

Bahrain's capital Manama. (Getty Images)
Bahrain's capital Manama. (Getty Images)

Gulf and Arab countries condemned the drone attack by the Iran-backed Houthi militias against southern Saudi Arabia. They reaffirmed their solidarity with the Kingdom, backing all the measures authorities are taking to protect Saudi territory.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said in a statement that the country “considers this targeting a dangerous escalation and a cowardly act that threatens the security, safety, and lives of civilians, and calls for taking all necessary measures to protect civilians from Houthi threats.”

The statement said that the security of the UAE and Saudi Arabia are indivisible, and “any threat or danger facing the Kingdom is considered by the UAE as a threat to its security and stability system.”

Bahrain also denounced the attacks and praised the vigilance and efficiency of the Arab coalition forces, which were able to intercept and destroy the aircraft.

Manama said that the terrorist acts carried out by the militias in a systematic and deliberate manner constitute a blatant attack on the Kingdom’s sovereignty, stability, and territorial integrity.

Kuwait said the continuation of these aggressive practices and the escalation in targeting civilians, civilian areas, the security of the Kingdom, and regional stability are a flagrant violation of international and humanitarian law and require the international community to act quickly and decisively to deter these threats and hold the perpetrators accountable.

Egypt and Jordan also issued similar statements strongly condemning the attacks, reiterating their full solidarity with the Kingdom and their support for all the measures it takes to maintain its security and stability.



Qatar's Emir Tells Sharaa 'Urgent Need' for Inclusive Syrian Government

This handout picture released by the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) on January 30, 2025, shows Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa (L) showing Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani a view of Damascus from Qasyoun mountain. (Photo by SANA / AFP)
This handout picture released by the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) on January 30, 2025, shows Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa (L) showing Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani a view of Damascus from Qasyoun mountain. (Photo by SANA / AFP)
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Qatar's Emir Tells Sharaa 'Urgent Need' for Inclusive Syrian Government

This handout picture released by the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) on January 30, 2025, shows Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa (L) showing Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani a view of Damascus from Qasyoun mountain. (Photo by SANA / AFP)
This handout picture released by the official Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) on January 30, 2025, shows Syria's interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa (L) showing Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani a view of Damascus from Qasyoun mountain. (Photo by SANA / AFP)

Visiting Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani emphasized the "urgent need" to form an inclusive Syrian government during a meeting Thursday with the country's new interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, the Qatari royal court said.

The emir's trip to Damascus -- the first by a head of state since the opposition toppled president Bashar al-Assad less than two months ago -- comes a day after Sharaa was appointed interim president for an unspecified transitional period.

It also follows a visit by Qatar's prime minister this month.

The emir "stressed the urgent need to form a government representing all spectrums" of Syrian society in order "to consolidate stability and move forward with reconstruction, development and prosperity projects,” the royal court statement said, congratulating Sharaa on his appointment.

Syria's new authorities on Wednesday said Sharaa had also been tasked with forming a transitional legislature. They announced the dissolution of all armed groups involved in Assad's overthrow, as well as the former government's army.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani said discussions with the Qatari delegation included reconstruction in the country devastated by nearly 14 years of civil war.

"We discussed a comprehensive framework for bilateral cooperation concerning reconstruction," Shibani said during a press conference with Qatari Minister of State at the foreign ministry, Mohammed al-Khulaifi.

He said their talks covered "vital sectors including infrastructure... investment and banking services, paving the way for economic recovery, health and education.”