Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union Condemns Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia, UAE

 Chairman of the Saudi Shura Council Abdullah Al Sheikh heads the delegation that took part in the 32nd Conference of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union in Cairo. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Chairman of the Saudi Shura Council Abdullah Al Sheikh heads the delegation that took part in the 32nd Conference of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union in Cairo. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union Condemns Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia, UAE

 Chairman of the Saudi Shura Council Abdullah Al Sheikh heads the delegation that took part in the 32nd Conference of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union in Cairo. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Chairman of the Saudi Shura Council Abdullah Al Sheikh heads the delegation that took part in the 32nd Conference of the Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union in Cairo. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Arab Inter-Parliamentary Union has strongly condemned the Houthi militia attempts to harm the people, territory and sovereignty of Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

This came in a statement following the union’s 32nd conference in Cairo on Friday, during which Sheikh Abdullah Al-Asheikh, the speaker of Saudi Arabia’s Shoura Council, led the Kingdom’s delegation.

The union condemned the recent missile and drone attacks by the Houthi militias, saying that they represent a direct threat to Arab and international peace and security.

The statement also affirmed the union’s full support for the right of the UAE sand Saudi Arabia to defend the integrity, sovereignty, citizens and security of their lands.

"No progress can be made to end the Yemeni crisis without stopping the hostilities carried out by the Houthi militias and putting an end to their repeated violations against Yemenis," the Arab parliamentarians stressed in their statement.

They also underscored the importance of cooperating to implement Security Council Resolution No. 2216 (2015), which bans the supply of arms to Houthis, as well as Arab League Resolution No. 8725 (2022), which calls for designating Houthis as a terrorist group.

They condemned the Houthi militias’ escalation and attempts to control Yemen by force and their disregard for the calls by the UN Security Council and the international community in this regard.

The Union underlined the need to free the Middle East region from weapons of mass destruction and nuclear weapons, as an effective means to help reduce the intensity of regional and international conflicts and disputes and achieve international peace and security.

It called for employing the advanced sciences of nuclear energy exclusively for peaceful purposes.

Regarding Palestine, the Union reiterated its firm position of solidarity and permanent support for the Palestinian cause and right to establish an independent Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital on the June 4, 1967 borders, in line with relevant UN resolutions and the Arab peace initiative.

The parliamentarians further stressed the importance of solving any Arab conflicts internally and preventing any regional interferences in Arab affairs to ensure the security and stability of the Arab region.



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.”


US Affirms Partnership with Riyadh is at its Strongest Level

Alison Dilworth, Charge d’Affaires ad interim to Saudi Arabia, shakes hands with a participant from the United States at the exhibition (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Alison Dilworth, Charge d’Affaires ad interim to Saudi Arabia, shakes hands with a participant from the United States at the exhibition (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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US Affirms Partnership with Riyadh is at its Strongest Level

Alison Dilworth, Charge d’Affaires ad interim to Saudi Arabia, shakes hands with a participant from the United States at the exhibition (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Alison Dilworth, Charge d’Affaires ad interim to Saudi Arabia, shakes hands with a participant from the United States at the exhibition (Asharq Al-Awsat)

US Charge d’Affaires ad interim to Saudi Arabia, Alison Dilworth, said Sunday that the World Defense Show currently being held in Riyadh reflects the strongest manifestation of the bilateral partnership between the United States and the Kingdom, affirming that relations between the two countries “have never been stronger than they are today.”

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the Show, Dilworth said the strong US participation in the exhibition clearly demonstrates the strength of cooperation between Washington and Riyadh. She pointed out that the partnership has witnessed sustained and strengthening growth in recent years.

Dilworth added that the Show brings together major global names in defense and aviation, such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin, alongside small and medium-sized US companies working in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and advanced defense systems, reflecting the diversity of American participation and the broad scope of technical and industrial cooperation.

She highlighted that US companies aim to grow with Saudi partners, supporting the Kingdom’s security and prosperity in line with Vision 2030.

On the Saudi-US political momentum that has strengthened bilateral relations in recent years, Dilworth said that 2025 saw what she described as a “historic” visit by US President Donald Trump to the Kingdom, followed by a visit by the Saudi Crown Prince to Washington in November.

The two visits resulted in the signing of 23 agreements which she described as “pivotal achievements” in the trajectory of US-Saudi cooperation.

Regarding the military displays at the exhibition, the diplomat highlighted that the F-35 and the scheduled aerial demonstrations underscore the US commitment as a long-term partner to Saudi Arabia.