Arab, Islamic States Condemn Storming of Saudi Cultural Attaché in Sudan

Drone footage shows birds in the foreground as clouds of black smoke billow over Khartoum North, Sudan (Reuters)
Drone footage shows birds in the foreground as clouds of black smoke billow over Khartoum North, Sudan (Reuters)
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Arab, Islamic States Condemn Storming of Saudi Cultural Attaché in Sudan

Drone footage shows birds in the foreground as clouds of black smoke billow over Khartoum North, Sudan (Reuters)
Drone footage shows birds in the foreground as clouds of black smoke billow over Khartoum North, Sudan (Reuters)

Gulf, Arab and Islamic states condemned the storming of the Saudi Cultural Attaché building in Khartoum, stressing the need to respect international and diplomatic agreements that guarantee the sanctity and safety of the headquarters of diplomatic missions.

On Tuesday, the Saudi Foreign Ministry announced that its cultural attaché office in Khartoum was stormed earlier in the day by an armed group that looted the property. The group also destroyed equipment and cameras.

The ministry expressed the Kingdom's strong condemnation of the incident, calling on all sides to respect the diplomatic missions and bring the perpetrators to justice.

It renewed Saudi Arabia's call to stop the military escalation between the warring parties, end the violence, and provide the necessary protection for Sudanese diplomats, residents, and civilians.

Kuwait expressed its strong condemnation and denunciation of the storming of the building.

The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying the "criminal" act is a "flagrant violation" of international law and the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, under which the host country is "under a special duty to protect the premises of the mission of intrusion, damage, disturbance of the peace and impairment of its dignity."

The ministry called on Sudanese authorities and concerned parties to immediately take all necessary measures to protect diplomatic missions, ensure the safety of their buildings and staff, and punish perpetrators of violations.

Kuwait stands in solidarity with Saudi Arabia and supports all security and legal measures it takes to maintain the safety of its diplomatic missions, asserted the ministry.

Bahrain deplored the incident, expressing solidarity, and support for Saudi Arabia, affirming its support for all necessary measures to secure Saudi diplomatic missions.

For its part, the UAE strongly denounced the storming of the cultural attaché mission, which resulted in vandalization and theft of property, stressing the importance of protecting diplomatic missions.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) affirmed that the UAE strongly condemns these criminal acts and permanently rejects all forms of violence and terrorism to undermine security and stability in contravention of humanitarian values and principles.

The statement stressed the importance of intensifying efforts to secure a ceasefire and return to the political process and dialogue to achieve progress in the transitional phase to reach Sudan's desired political stability and security.

On Wednesday, the Jordanian Government issued a statement condemning the armed storming and sabotage of the Saudi Cultural Attaché building, expressing solidarity with the Kingdom.

It stressed the need to respect the rules of international law and relevant international agreements, especially the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem al-Budaiwi, strongly denounced the incident, praising the significant humanitarian and diplomatic role played by Saudi Arabia in Sudan.

Budaiwi stressed that all GCC countries condemn this terrorist act, calling all parties in Sudan to take the necessary measures to protect diplomatic headquarters.

Moreover, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) regretted the storming, asserting in its statement the need to end the violence, respect diplomatic missions, and provide the necessary protection for diplomats.

The Speaker of the Arab Parliament, Adel al-Asoomi, called for respecting the diplomatic missions, holding perpetrators accountable, and providing due protection to diplomatic missions carrying out their work under challenging circumstances in Sudan.

He strongly denounced the storming, reiterating his demand for an immediate ceasefire in Sudan and for talks to resolve the current crisis.



Saudi Govt: Escalation in Yemen Not Aligned with UAE’s Pledges

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
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Saudi Govt: Escalation in Yemen Not Aligned with UAE’s Pledges

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chairs the cabinet meeting in Riyadh. (SPA)

The Saudi government reiterated on Tuesday that the Kingdom “will not hesitate in taking the necessary steps and measures to confront any violation or threat to its national security.”

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chaired the cabinet meeting that was held in Riyadh.

The cabinet “reiterated its commitment to the security, stability and sovereignty of Yemen and its full support to Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council Dr. Rashad al-Alimi and his government.”

It regretted that “Saudi Arabia’s efforts to restore calm in Yemen were met with unjustified escalation that go against the foundations of the coalition to support legitimacy in Yemen.”

“The escalation does not serve efforts to achieve security and stability in Yemen and goes against all the pledges Saudi Arabia had received from the United Arab Emirates,” added the cabinet.

The cabinet expressed Saudi Arabia’s hope that “wisdom would prevail and that priority would be given to the principles of fraternity and good neighborliness and close relations between Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members.”

It hoped that “the UAE would comply with the Yemeni republic’s demand that it withdraw its forces from the country withing 24 hours and that it would cease all military and financial support to the Southern Transitional Council and any other party in Yemen.”

It hoped that “the UAE would take the desired step to maintain bilateral relations between the two countries, which Saudi Arabia is keen on bolstering.”

The cabinet also reviewed regional and international developments.

It hailed the role of the coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen in protecting civilians in the Hadhramaut and Mahra governorates.

The cabinet renewed Saudi Arabia’s support to Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial unity, rejecting Israel’s recognition of Somaliland and warning that the move encourages separatist agendas that violate international law.

King Salman also briefed the cabinet on the message he received on Tuesday from Russian President Vladimir Putin that tackled bilateral ties between their countries.


UAE to Pull Forces Out of Yemen

The UAE flag. (WAM)
The UAE flag. (WAM)
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UAE to Pull Forces Out of Yemen

The UAE flag. (WAM)
The UAE flag. (WAM)

The United Arab Emirates’ Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday that it was pulling its remaining forces out of Yemen.

In a statement, it said: “In light of recent developments and their potential implications for the safety and effectiveness of counterterrorism missions, the Ministry of Defense announces the termination of the remaining counterterrorism personnel in Yemen of its own volition, in a manner that ensures the safety of its personnel and in coordination with the concerned partners.”

It added that the UAE “has participated as part of the Arab Coalition since 2015 in support of legitimacy in Yemen, in backing international efforts to combat terrorist organizations, and in pursuit of security and stability for the brotherly Yemeni people. The UAE has made great sacrifices in achieving these objectives.”

“The UAE Armed Forces concluded their military presence in Yemen in 2019 after completing the assigned missions within the agreed official frameworks,” it noted. “The remaining presence was limited to specialized personnel as part of counterterrorism efforts, in coordination with relevant international partners.”

It stressed that “this measure comes within the context of a comprehensive assessment of the requirements of the current phase, and in line with the commitments of the UAE and its role in supporting security and stability in the region.”


Muslim World League Affirms Support for Saudi Measures to Preserve Yemen's Sovereignty

Muslim World League Affirms Support for Saudi Measures to Preserve Yemen's Sovereignty
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Muslim World League Affirms Support for Saudi Measures to Preserve Yemen's Sovereignty

Muslim World League Affirms Support for Saudi Measures to Preserve Yemen's Sovereignty

The Muslim World League (MWL) has affirmed its full support for the supplementary statement issued by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia regarding recent escalatory actions by the Southern Transitional Council in Yemen's Hadramout and Al-Mahara governorates.

The league expressed its support for the statement from the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen concerning the unauthorized movement of ships carrying weapons and heavy vehicles from the Port of Fujairah to the Port of Mukalla, SPA reported.

 

These shipments were reportedly transported without the necessary official permits from the coalition’s Joint Forces Command. The MWL emphasized its unwavering solidarity with the Kingdom and its support for all measures taken to safeguard its national security.

In an official statement by General Secretariat, MWL Secretary-General and Organization of Muslim Scholars Chairman Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa commended the decisive and wise content of the Saudi statement.

 

Speaking on behalf of the league’s global assemblies and councils, Al-Issa noted that these measures are vital to ensuring peace, security, and the unity of the Yemeni people under their internationally recognized leadership.

Al-Issa highlighted that the priority remains preserving stability in Yemen and the broader region. He noted that outstanding issues, including the Southern cause, must be resolved through dialogue within established legal and legitimate frameworks.

Furthermore, he warned that supporting illegitimate practices only deepens internal divisions and serves those who do not have Yemen’s best interests at heart. He cautioned that any further steps deviating from the legitimate path would only ignite sedition, the heavy cost of which would be borne by the Yemeni people.

Concluding the statement, Al-Issa called upon all Yemeni parties to prioritize wisdom and the national interest. He urged them to unite under their legitimate leadership to preserve the country's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, paving the way for a secure and prosperous future for Yemen.