Saudi FM Blames Houthis for Escalation in Yemen

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (AP)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (AP)
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Saudi FM Blames Houthis for Escalation in Yemen

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (AP)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (AP)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan has blamed the Houthis for escalating the situation in Yemen, saying they continue to attack areas under government control.

The minister indicated that the militias reject peace, while Saudi Arabia is trying everything in its power to protect the Yemeni government's areas.

"We intervened in Marib more forcefully to ensure it is not invaded, and send a clear signal to the Houthis that violence does not help and dialogue is the only solution."

Prince Faisal said the Houthi attacks on Saudi and Emirati airports and facilities indicate the group has not yet decided to do what is in the interest of Yemen.

He hoped to cooperate with international partners and exert more pressure to ensure Houthis would accept a ceasefire and enter a political dialogue otherwise, there will be consequences.

The Saudi minister warned that the German move in limiting weapons exports sends a signal to the Houthis that the international community may not support the Saudi-led Arab Coalition.

He warned that the German arms embargo "sends a very wrong signal," explaining that it will allow the Houthis to believe that "our partners do not support us, which creates an impression that the international community may not support Saudi Arabia and its partners in the region."

"It is important that we have the resources to defend ourselves."

Saudi Arabia uses the weapons against the Houthis and needs them to protect itself against the attacks, said the minister.

"We don't need weapons to be aggressive, but to protect ourselves," he said.

The Saudi FM confirmed that Riyadh did not launch the war in Yemen, but "we are continuing our efforts to find a political path to solve the crisis."

The minister reiterated that his country proposed a ceasefire last March followed by a political process, noting that this is the second time the Kingdom has submitted this proposal.

However, the Houthis have not accepted any proposal and refused to hold any dialogue.

On cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Germany, Prince Faisal explained that Vision 2030 targets many economic, cultural, and social fields.

It provides a significant opportunity for cooperation with Germany in cultural exchange, professional training, and the environment.

The FM explained that transitioning to green energy is an important part of Vision 2030, saying Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in this field and expanding its capabilities in green hydrogen.

Saudi Arabia and Germany are historically associated with a close partnership and friendship based on industrial cooperation, and Riyadh is determined to expand this cooperation to include green energy.

On the nuclear deal with Iran, the minister said: "We have no confidence that the JCPOA in its current state can prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear bomb."

"We understand the desire of our partners to return to talks, but we believe that these negotiations should be the beginning, not the end."

The nuclear talks are "just a step in the right direction," said the FM, warning that if Iran built a nuclear bomb it may push other countries to follow the same path.

"We adopt a strong principle against nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction in general, and we adhere to this principle, but if Iran possesses these nuclear capabilities, it will destabilize the region."

The minister also addressed the peace agreements concluded between Arab countries and Israel, stressing the need to find a way for the Palestinians and Israelis to sit at the negotiating table.

"The priority now is to find an arrangement so that Israelis and Palestinians can sit together and have a peace process that can be worked on."

He indicated that this would make it easier for all countries that do not have relations with Israel.

Normalization with Israel will happen when a just solution is found, said the minister.



Saudi, Romanian Defense Ministers Discuss Regional and International Developments

 Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi, Romanian Defense Ministers Discuss Regional and International Developments

 Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz held on Tuesday a phone call with his Romanian counterpart Stefan Radu Oprea.

At the outset of the call, Prince Khalid congratulated the Romanian minister on his appointment as the minister of national defense.

The ministers reviewed the existing military and defense cooperation between their countries and ways to strengthen and further develop it. They also discussed the latest regional and international developments.


Saudi Arabia Reiterates its Commitment to Defending its Sovereignty Against Any Threat

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Reiterates its Commitment to Defending its Sovereignty Against Any Threat

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chairs the Cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)

The Saudi government reiterated on Tuesday the Kingdom's unwavering commitment to defending its sovereignty and responding firmly to any threat or aggression targeting its security or the safety of its citizens and residents.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, chaired the Cabinet meeting that was held in Riyadh.

The Crown Prince briefed the Cabinet on the two messages addressed to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the Crown Prince from King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, as well as the message the Crown Prince sent to China’s President Xi Jinping.

He also briefed the Cabinet on his phone calls with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, Romanian President Nicușor Dan, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, and the outcomes of his reception of Jordan’s Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II.

The Cabinet reviewed international developments and Saudi Arabia's ongoing diplomatic efforts, in coordination with brotherly and friendly nations, to consolidate the region's security, safeguard stability, and sustain development and prosperity for its peoples.

The Cabinet reviewed the outcomes of the Kingdom's participation in meetings held under the auspices of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the G20, as part of its efforts to support multilateral action aimed at strengthening mechanisms for joint cooperation across various fields, serving mutual interests and benefits, and contributing to effective and sustainable solutions to current global challenges, particularly those related to maritime navigation security, energy, food security, global trade, and supply chains.

The Cabinet reaffirmed the Kingdom's rejection of all violations that threaten the security and safety of maritime navigation and global energy supplies, stressing the importance of urgent action by the international community to ensure maritime security, safeguard the flow of international trade, and enforce international law in this regard.

The Cabinet stressed that, despite the region's challenges, the Kingdom has continued to reliably supply energy to global markets, supported by long-term investments in infrastructure, storage facilities, and supply chains, as well as an ecosystem capable of responding to changing circumstances with the highest levels of technical and operational capability. These efforts have contributed to strengthening global energy security and the resilience of supply networks.


Coalition Says Drone Intercepted and Destroyed in Makkah Region

Official Spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Official Spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Coalition Says Drone Intercepted and Destroyed in Makkah Region

Official Spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Official Spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Official Spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki said on Tuesday that a drone was intercepted and destroyed in the Makkah Region.

On Monday, the Coalition said two drones were intercepted and destroyed in the Riyadh Region.

Al-Malki added that air defenses intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the terrorist Houthi militia toward the southern region.