Saudi Leadership Congratulated on Success of Hajj

Muslim pilgrims walk on the second day of the devil stoning ritual, during the annual haj pilgrimage, in Mina, Saudi Arabia, June 17, 2024. (Reuters)
Muslim pilgrims walk on the second day of the devil stoning ritual, during the annual haj pilgrimage, in Mina, Saudi Arabia, June 17, 2024. (Reuters)
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Saudi Leadership Congratulated on Success of Hajj

Muslim pilgrims walk on the second day of the devil stoning ritual, during the annual haj pilgrimage, in Mina, Saudi Arabia, June 17, 2024. (Reuters)
Muslim pilgrims walk on the second day of the devil stoning ritual, during the annual haj pilgrimage, in Mina, Saudi Arabia, June 17, 2024. (Reuters)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz received on Tuesday messages of congratulations from Arab leaders on the success of this year’s Hajj.  

United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa sent King Salman separate cables of congratulations.  

They credited the success of the Hajj to the grace of God Almighty and the generous care of King Salman and his government and its institutions to ensure that pilgrims can perform their rituals in tranquility and safety.  

Sheikh Mishal praised the progress of the expansion work carried out at the Grand Mosque, and the introduction of smart services and technologies at all holy sites to meet the needs of pilgrims and facilitate their performance of the Hajj.  

He praised the significant role of Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Governor of Makkah Region, and Chairman of the Central Hajj Committee Prince Khalid Al-Faisal, and Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz for their tireless efforts and the coordination among all sectors concerned with Hajj affairs.  

He wished Saudi Arabia and its noble people further progress and prosperity under the wise and prudent leadership of King Salman.

Sheikh Mishal also sent a cable of congratulations to Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia.

UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Kuwaiti Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah sent cables of congratulations to King Salman.



UAE Intercepts 20 Ballistic Missiles and 37 Drones

UAE air defenses intercepted 398 ballistic missiles and 15 cruise missiles, along with 1,872 drones (AFP)
UAE air defenses intercepted 398 ballistic missiles and 15 cruise missiles, along with 1,872 drones (AFP)
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UAE Intercepts 20 Ballistic Missiles and 37 Drones

UAE air defenses intercepted 398 ballistic missiles and 15 cruise missiles, along with 1,872 drones (AFP)
UAE air defenses intercepted 398 ballistic missiles and 15 cruise missiles, along with 1,872 drones (AFP)

The UAE Ministry of Defense announced that its air defenses on Saturday intercepted 20 ballistic missiles and 37 drones launched toward the country from Iran, in the latest wave of attacks targeting its security and stability.

In a statement, the ministry said its forces successfully intercepted and neutralized the threats with high efficiency, as part of an integrated defense system reflecting a high level of readiness to address various threats.

It added that since the start of the “Iranian attacks,” air defenses have intercepted 398 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and 1,872 drones in ongoing operations aimed at protecting the country’s airspace.

The ministry said the attacks resulted in the deaths of two members of the armed forces while performing their national duty, as well as a Moroccan civilian contractor with the military. Eight other civilians were also killed, of Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi, Palestinian, and Indian nationalities.

It added that 178 people were injured, with injuries ranging from minor to severe, including nationals from the UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, the Comoros, Türkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia, Sweden, and Tunisia.

The Ministry of Defense affirmed that it remains fully prepared to respond to any threats, stressing it will act “decisively” against anything that could undermine the country’s security, ensuring the protection of its sovereignty and national interests.


Saudi Arabia: Two Drones Intercepted and Destroyed in Recent Hours

Saudi defenses (Ministry of Defense)
Saudi defenses (Ministry of Defense)
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Saudi Arabia: Two Drones Intercepted and Destroyed in Recent Hours

Saudi defenses (Ministry of Defense)
Saudi defenses (Ministry of Defense)

The official spokesperson for the Saudi Ministry of Defense, Major General Turki Al-Malki, said two drones were intercepted and destroyed in the past hours.

Al-Malki said air defenses successfully intercepted and destroyed the two drones, affirming continued readiness to counter any threats targeting the Kingdom’s security.

Saudi air defenses also intercepted, on Friday, six ballistic missiles and 26 drones in the Riyadh and Eastern regions, according to the Ministry of Defense spokesperson, Major General Turki Al-Malki.

Al-Malki said 13 drones were intercepted and destroyed in both the Eastern Province and Riyadh, with interception debris falling near a military site in the Riyadh region without causing injuries.

The ministry’s spokesperson added that six ballistic missiles launched toward Riyadh were detected; two were intercepted, while the other four fell into the waters of the Arabian Gulf and in uninhabited areas.

Saudi air defenses had, on Thursday, destroyed 38 drones in the Eastern Province, Al-Malki said.


Drone Attacks Target Kuwait Airport

Smoke rises from the area of the Kuwait International Airport after a reported drone strike hit a fuel depot on March 25, 2026. AFP
Smoke rises from the area of the Kuwait International Airport after a reported drone strike hit a fuel depot on March 25, 2026. AFP
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Drone Attacks Target Kuwait Airport

Smoke rises from the area of the Kuwait International Airport after a reported drone strike hit a fuel depot on March 25, 2026. AFP
Smoke rises from the area of the Kuwait International Airport after a reported drone strike hit a fuel depot on March 25, 2026. AFP

The Kuwait International Airport was hit by drone attacks on Saturday, authorities said.

The Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement that the attacks severely damaged the airport’s radar systems.

No casualties were reported, it added.