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Saudi FM to Asharq Al-Awsat: Iranian Drones Are an Increasing Danger that Must be Stopped

Prince Faisal bin Farhan speaking at a forum in New York (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Prince Faisal bin Farhan speaking at a forum in New York (Asharq Al-Awsat)
    New York - Rana Abtar
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Saudi FM to Asharq Al-Awsat: Iranian Drones Are an Increasing Danger that Must be Stopped

Prince Faisal bin Farhan speaking at a forum in New York (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Prince Faisal bin Farhan speaking at a forum in New York (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said that Iranian drone technology poses an increasing threat to the Middle East and stressed the importance of cooperation among regional countries to confront the matter.

The top Saudi diplomat had made the exclusive statement to Asharq Al-Awsat on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Regarding cooperation to confront Iran’s drone technology, Prince Faisal said: “The subject must be tackled through two approaches.”

“The short-term approach must be based on building capacity to face existing risks,” Prince Faisal explained.

“Meanwhile, the long-term approach requires cooperation to understand threats and construct frameworks for an action plan that could help in building future technologies for confronting this danger and protecting ourselves and our partners from it,” he added.

Participating at a forum organized by the “THINK” research foundation of the Saudi Research and Media Group (SRMG) and in cooperation with the Middle East Institute, the minister noted that Iran is constantly supplying Houthi militias in Yemen with drones.

Saudi Arabia has been able to foil around 94% of drone attacks launched against the Kingdom, said Prince Faisal.

“We see signs that (the Houthis) most likely will not accept the extension of the truce, and this would be a very unfortunate development, because the truce has already achieved results for the Yemeni people,” noted the foreign minister.

Prince Faisal, in a statement to Al Arabiya TV, said that the release of the 10 foreign prisoners in an exchange deal between Russia and Ukraine was carried out with the direct mediation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

He revealed that the Crown Prince had started dialogue with concerned parties since April.

“He worked continuously during the last period until the deal was completed,” said Prince Faisal about the Saudi Crown Prince’s efforts.

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Gulf

Coalition Says Intercepted Ballistic Missile Targeting Riyadh

Official Spokesman for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Official Spokesman for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Coalition Says Intercepted Ballistic Missile Targeting Riyadh

Official Spokesman for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Official Spokesman for the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi forces on Tuesday intercepted a ballistic missile aimed at the Kingdom's capital, the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen said.

The Kingdom "intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the terrorist Houthi militia towards Riyadh,” Coalition Spokesman Major General Turki Al-Malki said in a post on X.

Earlier, the Saudi civil defense said in a statement on X that a warning had been issued by the National Early Warning Platform in Riyadh City to alert for a potential danger.

Gulf

Egypt Extends to Next Week Discussions on Military Support for Saudi Arabia

The Egyptian parliament in session. (MENA file)
The Egyptian parliament in session. (MENA file)
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Egypt Extends to Next Week Discussions on Military Support for Saudi Arabia

The Egyptian parliament in session. (MENA file)
The Egyptian parliament in session. (MENA file)

The Egyptian parliament extended to next week on Monday discussions on President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's authorization to provide military support to Saudi Arabia, a move that observers have interpreted as a "desire for further clarification on the nature of the Egyptian action."

On Saturday, Sisi requested that parliament hold an emergency session to authorize the defense of Gulf states, stressing that his country is "ready to implement any measure requested by Saudi Arabia to protect its security." This was followed by two parliamentary sessions on Sunday and Monday to discuss the issue.

At the conclusion of Monday's meeting, Speaker Hisham Badawi decided to adjourn the sessions until October 26 to resume discussions.

Parliamentary sources said the decision stemmed from the high number of requests from MPs to speak. The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the discussions over the two days witnessed broad support for the Kingdom, as well as several requests to clarify the nature of the support, and how Egypt will defend its security and stability.

They added: "In light of hundreds of requests received from MPs to speak, and given the nature of the issue, discussions were extended to next week for further clarifications."

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi chairs a National Defense Council meeting at Ittihadiya Palace on Sunday. (Egyptian Presidency)

This was confirmed by Dr. Abdel Moneim Said, a former member of the Senate, who told Asharq Al-Awsat: "Given the importance of the subject, it was only natural that the discussions would be extended."

He added: "All aspects of the issue must be addressed, starting with the nature of the Egyptian action to defensively support the Kingdom, through to its implications and cost," noting that "the issue enjoys broad support; given its impact on Egyptian national security, which cannot be separated from Gulf security."

Article 152 of the Egyptian Constitution stipulates that "the President of the Republic is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and shall not declare war, nor send the Armed Forces on a combat mission outside the borders of the State, except after taking the opinion of the National Defense Council, and obtaining the approval of the parliament by a two-thirds majority of its members."

It adds that "if the parliament is dissolved, the opinion of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces must be taken, alongside the approval of both the Cabinet and the National Defense Council."

Following a meeting chaired by Sisi on Sunday, the National Defense Council decided on "absolute alignment and complete solidarity with Saudi Arabia, and to provide all necessary and possible forms of support to the Kingdom to defend its security and stability, and to safeguard its capabilities, territorial integrity, and Islamic holy sites."

Political parties and MPs stressed their support for the Kingdom.

In a statement on Sunday, the Wafd Party announced its backing, stating that "the security of the Kingdom and Red Sea, and Arab countries bordering it, are closely linked to Egyptian and Arab national security."

Gulf

UAE, Turkish FMs Condemn Continued Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (AFP)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (AFP)
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UAE, Turkish FMs Condemn Continued Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (AFP)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah. (AFP)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah received on Monday separate telephone calls from Deputy Prime Minister and FM of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Turkish FM Hakan Fidan.

The FMs discussed regional developments, including the continued attacks by the terrorist Houthi militia on civilian areas in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and expressed their condemnation of these attacks.

Prince Faisal and Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed stressed the importance of continued coordination and consultations to strengthen joint Gulf cooperation, reduce escalation, prevent tensions from spreading, and maintain regional security and stability.

Prince Faisal and Fidan reviewed the latest developments, Saudi and Turkish efforts to address current challenges, and their joint endeavors to boost regional security and stability.