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Saudi Fund for Development, UK Join Forces to Advance Global Development

The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) signed in Riyadh on Monday a joint cooperation arrangement (JCA) to advance development and address policy issues of mutual concern. (SPA)
The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) signed in Riyadh on Monday a joint cooperation arrangement (JCA) to advance development and address policy issues of mutual concern. (SPA)
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Saudi Fund for Development, UK Join Forces to Advance Global Development

The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) signed in Riyadh on Monday a joint cooperation arrangement (JCA) to advance development and address policy issues of mutual concern. (SPA)
The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) signed in Riyadh on Monday a joint cooperation arrangement (JCA) to advance development and address policy issues of mutual concern. (SPA)

The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) and UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) signed in Riyadh on Monday a joint cooperation arrangement (JCA) to advance development and address policy issues of mutual concern.

The two parties will also focus on effectively delivering the international development agenda of their respective organizations, while strengthening their capacities to better respond to overseas development needs.

The goals and objectives outlined in JCA include providing support for the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people through improved donor coordination, enhanced transparency and aid accountability, and effective monitoring and evaluation.

Attending the signing ceremony, which took place on the sidelines of the second strategic dialogue on humanitarian assistance and international development at the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) headquarters, were KSrelief Supervisor General Dr. Abdullah Al Rabeeah, UK’s Deputy Foreign Secretary and Minister of State Rt Hon. Andrew Mitchell MP, and SFD CEO Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad.

Mitchell said: “It is vitally important that we get the Sustainable Development Goals back on track by 2030; our collective commitment has waned in recent years, the time is now to turn the tide on this. Our partnership, and shared resolve, with our friends in Saudi Arabia is a welcome step that we must keep momentum on.”

Al-Marshad said: “We are pleased to embark on this JCA with the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. This partnership is a strong reflection of our mutual dedication to strengthen the global development system.”

“We are hopeful that this partnership will help improve the lives of millions of people around the world and enhance the quality of life for those who most need it,” he added.

Since 1975, SFD has financed over 800 development projects and programs, worth over $20 billion, in over 100 developing countries. The programs and projects covered sectors such as transportation and communications, social infrastructure, agriculture, energy, industry and mining.

The fund has played a key role in helping to improve living standards, advance socio-economic development, and provide employment opportunities for millions of beneficiaries around the world.

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Gulf

‘Makkah Alliance’ Activates Collective Deterrence Following Attacks on Saudi Arabia

Officials from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Türkiye meet on Monday an emergency meeting of the Strategic-Political and Defense Committee of the Makkah Alliance for Defense in Riyadh. (SPA)
Officials from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Türkiye meet on Monday an emergency meeting of the Strategic-Political and Defense Committee of the Makkah Alliance for Defense in Riyadh. (SPA)
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‘Makkah Alliance’ Activates Collective Deterrence Following Attacks on Saudi Arabia

Officials from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Türkiye meet on Monday an emergency meeting of the Strategic-Political and Defense Committee of the Makkah Alliance for Defense in Riyadh. (SPA)
Officials from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Türkiye meet on Monday an emergency meeting of the Strategic-Political and Defense Committee of the Makkah Alliance for Defense in Riyadh. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Türkiye convened on Monday an emergency meeting of the Strategic-Political and Defense Committee of the Makkah Alliance for Defense in Riyadh to address the security developments and threats facing the Kingdom.

The committee decided to move immediately to the practical implementation of the collective defense commitments and to take the necessary measures to provide the agreed military forces and capabilities and ensure their rapid deployment in the Kingdom, in line with the approved arrangements and the national legislation of the parties, thereby boosting readiness, military integration, and the collective capacity to confront and counter threats.

The parties underlined that the security of each party is an integral part of the collective security of the three countries.

Translating the Makkah Agreement for Joint Defense into practical measures demonstrates the credibility of the commitment to collective defense, strengthens the effectiveness of deterrence, and reaffirms the unity and determination of the three countries to defend their security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, in accordance with the provisions of the agreement, they added.

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said that the committee meeting underscores the solidarity of the involved nations against threats to Saudi Arabia and the holy sites.

The parties strongly condemned the attempted targeting of Makkah and Madinah, as well as the continuing attacks targeting cities and civilian and economic facilities in the Kingdom, reaffirming their unequivocal rejection of any attack or threat against the Kingdom’s security and territorial integrity.

Pakistan and Türkiye commended the vigilance and readiness of the Saudi Armed Forces, as well as the professionalism and high level of competence they have demonstrated in countering the threats and attacks facing the Kingdom and in safeguarding its security and territorial integrity.

The committee reviewed the outcomes of the political and military consultations preceding the meeting and approved the recommendations submitted to it, stressing that the Makkah Alliance for Defense embodies a firm commitment to collective defense and a unified position in confronting threats.

As part of the institutional development of the Makkah Alliance for Defense, the committee decided to appoint Lieutenant General Nauman Mahmood of Pakistan as the first Secretary-General for a three-year term.

Gulf

Saudi Crown Prince, US Senator Chris Murphy Discuss Ties and Developments

Saudi Crown Prince holding talks with US Senator Chris Murphy - SPA
Saudi Crown Prince holding talks with US Senator Chris Murphy - SPA
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Saudi Crown Prince, US Senator Chris Murphy Discuss Ties and Developments

Saudi Crown Prince holding talks with US Senator Chris Murphy - SPA
Saudi Crown Prince holding talks with US Senator Chris Murphy - SPA

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, met in Riyadh on Monday with member of the US Senate Foreign Relations and Appropriations committees Chris Murphy and his accompanying delegation.

They discussed the friendly relations between the two countries, regional and international developments, and issues of mutual interest, according to SPA.

Attending the meeting were Saudi Ambassador to the United States Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, and Minister of State, Cabinet Member, and National Security Advisor Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban.

Gulf

Coalition: 100 Warplanes Took Part in ‘Yemen Dawn’ Operation, Destroyed 324 Targets

Major General Turki Al-Maliki (The Coalition)
Major General Turki Al-Maliki (The Coalition)
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Coalition: 100 Warplanes Took Part in ‘Yemen Dawn’ Operation, Destroyed 324 Targets

Major General Turki Al-Maliki (The Coalition)
Major General Turki Al-Maliki (The Coalition)

The Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen said on Monday that 100 fighter jets had taken part in the first hours of Yemen Dawn, an operation launched by the Yemeni government to retake state institutions and territory controlled by the Houthi militia. It said 324 “high-value” targets had been destroyed since the operation began.

Coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Maliki said in posts on X that the coalition was providing round-the-clock air support to Yemeni government forces on the ground. He added that its air force was securing the Bab al-Mandab Strait and that operations against moving targets were ongoing.

He added that 100 fighter jets took part in the operation and that the campaign had destroyed 324 high-value targets since it began.

The coalition’s military support came a day after Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi announced the start of military operations to retake territory and restore state authority nationwide. He said all efforts for de-escalation had been exhausted.

Al-Alimi announced the launch of the Yemen Dawn operation on Monday, saying it aimed to restore state institutions, retake the capital Sanaa and end the Houthi militia’s control.

He said the operation was being carried out with the support of Yemeni armed forces and military formations, as well as assistance from allies and partners.