Saudi Arabia Launches Campaign to Meet Urgent Needs in Sudan

Civilians who fled war-torn Sudan following the outbreak of fighting at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) transit center in Renk (Reuters)
Civilians who fled war-torn Sudan following the outbreak of fighting at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) transit center in Renk (Reuters)
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Saudi Arabia Launches Campaign to Meet Urgent Needs in Sudan

Civilians who fled war-torn Sudan following the outbreak of fighting at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) transit center in Renk (Reuters)
Civilians who fled war-torn Sudan following the outbreak of fighting at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) transit center in Renk (Reuters)

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) launched a $100 million fundraising campaign through the Sahem platform to assist the Sudanese people following the outbreak of the clashes.

The popular campaign comes in implementing directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and within the Saudi efforts to mitigate the effects of the Sudanese crisis.

Advisor at the Royal Court and Supervisor General of KSrelief Abdullah al-Rabeea hoped to launch the air bridge by Tuesday, subject to the necessary permits to ensure that aid reaches those in need.

Rabeea told Al-Arabiya that upon royal directives, KSrelief launched a popular fundraising campaign to help millions of Sudanese affected by the shortage of food, medicine, shelter, potable water, and other essential supplies.

He stressed that the campaign reflects the noble efforts of the Saudi leadership and the generous people that responded to the campaign.

"Sahem" platform

The Saudi "Sahem" platform launched a campaign to receive donations to the campaign to help relief millions of Sudanese after the deterioration of the humanitarian conditions.

For his part, the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Hissein Taha, urged member states, financial and humanitarian institutions, and international donors to provide humanitarian assistance to Sudan amid the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the country.

He called on donors and international partners to provide prompt medical supplies and health services to Sudan and promote the efforts of Sudan's neighboring countries in hosting refugees.

Saudi Arabia continues to evacuate Saudi citizens and other nationals from Sudan through the sea since the outbreak of clashes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Saudi Navy ships and Saudi-flagged Amana vessel evacuated 8,498 from Sudan to Saudi Arabia since the beginning of the clashes, including 278 Saudis and about 8,220 people from 110 different nationalities.

Historical Saudi interest

The Saudi Fund for Development is also a significant donor to Sudan, providing aid of about $684 million to support 162 projects in health, education, food security, and other sectors.

Sudan is facing humanitarian challenges and a shortage of medical and health supplies three weeks into the military fighting that erupted in the country.

The international community warned of a catastrophic situation, especially in Khartoum and Darfur, where most hospitals have stopped working, and transportation has been cut off.

The country faces humanitarian challenges, including a shortage of food supplies and drinking water and communications, electricity, and banking services.

The UN urged the warring military powers to ensure that international aid reaches the deprived areas.



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.