Iraqi PM Eyes Boosting Relations with Saudi Arabia

The Iraqi Prime Minister with the Saudi Shura Council delegation (the Prime Ministry)
The Iraqi Prime Minister with the Saudi Shura Council delegation (the Prime Ministry)
TT

Iraqi PM Eyes Boosting Relations with Saudi Arabia

The Iraqi Prime Minister with the Saudi Shura Council delegation (the Prime Ministry)
The Iraqi Prime Minister with the Saudi Shura Council delegation (the Prime Ministry)

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammad Shiaa al-Sudani received a delegation from the Saudi-Iraqi Parliamentary Friendship Committee of the Shura Council, chaired by Council Member and Chairman of the Committee, Ibrahim al-Qannas.

The meeting was attended by the Saudi ambassador to Iraq and several members of the Iraqi parliament.

Sudani welcomed the delegation and stressed the importance of sustaining and strengthening relations between Saudi Arabia and Iraq at all levels. He also reiterated consolidating economic and commercial partnerships and cultural exchange relations.

He added that, since assuming its duties, the government has followed a path that adopts strengthening ties and regional integration, which aims to confront regional challenges and crises, coordinate positions, and establish rapprochement with nations.

The Prime Minister indicated that Baghdad has become an arena to solve regional issues, contributing to stability.

The Saudi delegation confirmed that the Kingdom values relations with Iraq at various levels and looks forward to participating in the proposed development projects and available investment opportunities in a way that promotes economic cooperation between the two countries.



US Launches Airstrikes by Fighter Jets and Ships on Yemen’s Iran-Backed Houthis

 Smoke rises from the site of strikes in Sanaa, Yemen October 4, 2024. (Reuters)
Smoke rises from the site of strikes in Sanaa, Yemen October 4, 2024. (Reuters)
TT

US Launches Airstrikes by Fighter Jets and Ships on Yemen’s Iran-Backed Houthis

 Smoke rises from the site of strikes in Sanaa, Yemen October 4, 2024. (Reuters)
Smoke rises from the site of strikes in Sanaa, Yemen October 4, 2024. (Reuters)

The US military struck more than a dozen Houthi targets in Yemen on Friday, going after weapons systems, bases and other equipment belonging to the Iranian-backed militias, US officials confirmed.

Military aircraft and warships bombed Houthi strongholds at roughly five locations, according to the officials.

Houthi media said seven strikes hit the airport in Hodeidah, a major port city, and the Katheib area, which has a Houthi-controlled military base. Four more strikes hit the Seiyana area in Sanaa, the capital, and two strikes hit the Dhamar province. The Houthi media office also reported three air raids in Bayda province, southeast of Sanaa.

The strikes come just days after the Houthis threatened “escalating military operations” targeting Israel after they apparently shot down a US military drone flying over Yemen. And just last week, the Houthis claimed responsibility for an attack targeting American warships.

The militias fired more than a half dozen ballistic missiles and anti-ship cruise missiles and two drones at three US ships that were traveling through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, but all were intercepted by the Navy destroyers, according to several US officials.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details not yet publicly released.

Houthis have targeted more than 80 merchant vessels with missiles and drones since the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza started last October. They have seized one vessel and sunk two in the campaign that has also killed four sailors.

Other missiles and drones have either been intercepted by a US-led coalition in the Red Sea or failed to reach their targets, which have included Western military vessels.

The Houthis have maintained that they target ships linked to Israel, the US or the United Kingdom to force an end to Israel’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza. However, many of the ships attacked have little or no connection to the conflict, including some bound for Iran.