HMS Al-Diriyah Joins Saudi Naval Fleet

The HMS Al-Diriyah arrived on Thursday at the King Faisal Naval Base of the Western Fleet on from its manufacturing base in Spain. (Saudi Defense Ministry)
The HMS Al-Diriyah arrived on Thursday at the King Faisal Naval Base of the Western Fleet on from its manufacturing base in Spain. (Saudi Defense Ministry)
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HMS Al-Diriyah Joins Saudi Naval Fleet

The HMS Al-Diriyah arrived on Thursday at the King Faisal Naval Base of the Western Fleet on from its manufacturing base in Spain. (Saudi Defense Ministry)
The HMS Al-Diriyah arrived on Thursday at the King Faisal Naval Base of the Western Fleet on from its manufacturing base in Spain. (Saudi Defense Ministry)

The King's ship HMS Al-Diriyah arrived on Thursday at the King Faisal Naval Base of the Western Fleet on from its manufacturing base in Spain.

The Naval Forces held an official reception to mark the occasion.

The vessel is the to enter service as part of the "Sarawat Project", which includes the construction and commissioning of five naval vessels with advanced capabilities to deal with various combat missions with high capacity and efficiency.

Commander of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces Lieutenant General Fahd bin Abdullah Al-Ghufaili boarded the HMS Al-Diriyah, toured its various sections, and inspected its modern equipment. He also left a note in the ship's log.

He stressed that the ship will help raise the level of readiness of the Saudi naval forces, boost maritime security in the region, and protect the Kingdom's vital strategic interests.

The ships of the Sarawat project boast the latest combat systems to deal with all threats, and will be equipped with the first Saudi system for managing naval combat under the name Hazm, he added.

Hazm will help in the localization of the military industries by transferring technology and nurturing national talents through training programs, he stressed.



Saudi FM Discusses Regional Developments with His Canadian, French Counterparts

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi FM Discusses Regional Developments with His Canadian, French Counterparts

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah met on Thursday with Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic Jean-Noël Barrot on the sidelines of his participation in the Group of Seven (G7) ministerial meeting held France.

During the meeting, they reviewed relations between the two countries, along with ways to strengthen and develop them.

They also discussed the latest developments in the region and ongoing efforts in this regard.

According to SPA, the Saudi minister also met with Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Anand.

During their meeting they reviewed cooperation between the two countries in various fields, in addition to discussing the latest developments and issues of common interest.


2 Dead, 3 Wounded as Missile Intercepted in Abu Dhabi

People walk along the corniche area in Abu Dhabi on March 20, 2026. (Photo by Ryan Lim / AFP)
People walk along the corniche area in Abu Dhabi on March 20, 2026. (Photo by Ryan Lim / AFP)
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2 Dead, 3 Wounded as Missile Intercepted in Abu Dhabi

People walk along the corniche area in Abu Dhabi on March 20, 2026. (Photo by Ryan Lim / AFP)
People walk along the corniche area in Abu Dhabi on March 20, 2026. (Photo by Ryan Lim / AFP)

Two people were killed and three were wounded by falling debris after air defenses intercepted a ballistic missile on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi, the government media office said on Thursday.

"The incident resulted in the deaths of two unidentified individuals, three injuries, and damage to a number of cars," the Abu Dhabi Media Office said in a post on X.


Crown Prince, UK PM Address Global Economic Crisis; Starmer Condemns Iran’s Attacks on Saudi Arabia

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)
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Crown Prince, UK PM Address Global Economic Crisis; Starmer Condemns Iran’s Attacks on Saudi Arabia

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)
Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer meet in Riyadh in December 2024. (SPA)

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received a phone call on Wednesday from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who condemned Iran’s continued assaults against Saudi Arabia.

Starmer expressed his country’s strong condemnation of Iran’s attacks highlighting their threat to security and stability, during the phone call with the Crown Prince.

The two leaders discussed regional security amid the ongoing military escalation, its impact on regional and global stability, and the associated risks to international maritime security and the global economy.