Saudi Arabia Signs Military Partnership with US National Guard

Saudi Arabia signs military partnership with US National Guard (SPA)
Saudi Arabia signs military partnership with US National Guard (SPA)
TT

Saudi Arabia Signs Military Partnership with US National Guard

Saudi Arabia signs military partnership with US National Guard (SPA)
Saudi Arabia signs military partnership with US National Guard (SPA)

The Ministry of Defense has signed a military partnership agreement with the US National Guard of Indiana and Oklahoma, as part of the US Department of Defense’s State Partnership Program aimed at strengthening defense and security cooperation.

The agreement was signed by Saudi Chief of General Staff Lieutenant-General Fayyad Al-Ruwaili and US officials including Chief of the National Guard Bureau General Steven Nordhaus. It focuses on several key areas, such as developing joint defense capabilities, enhancing the readiness of the Saudi Armed Forces, participating in joint military exercises, advancing leadership development and strategic planning, and strengthening emergency and disaster management.

Plans comprise joint field training, officer exchange programs, and specialized workshops on topics like artificial intelligence and crisis management. Indiana and Oklahoma were selected for their expertise in military training, leadership development, and disaster response.

Al-Ruwaili praised the partnership as a historic and strategic investment that will strengthen the Saudi Armed Forces and reinforce their role as a reliable partner in regional security. US officials also expressed pride in the agreement, emphasizing its significance for long-term defense cooperation between the two nations.



UAE Air Defenses ‘Actively Engaging’ Iran Missiles, Drones

 The United Arab Emirates flag flies in front of the Jumeirah Beach Residence in Dubai. (Reuters file photo)
The United Arab Emirates flag flies in front of the Jumeirah Beach Residence in Dubai. (Reuters file photo)
TT

UAE Air Defenses ‘Actively Engaging’ Iran Missiles, Drones

 The United Arab Emirates flag flies in front of the Jumeirah Beach Residence in Dubai. (Reuters file photo)
The United Arab Emirates flag flies in front of the Jumeirah Beach Residence in Dubai. (Reuters file photo)

The United Arab Emirates said Tuesday its air defenses were engaging missiles and drones coming from Iran for the second consecutive day, weeks into a fragile ceasefire in the Middle East war.

"UAE air defense systems are actively engaging with missiles and UAV threats," the defense ministry said in a statement on X, adding that they had "come from Iran".

On Monday, an Iranian drone attack caused a fire, injuring three people at an energy installation in Fujairah, close to the blockaded Strait of Hormuz, the vital waterway that is the focus of tensions between the US and Iran.

Fujairah is the UAE's main oil export terminal bypassing the Strait of Hormuz.

The oil-rich UAE has borne the brunt of Tehran's retaliation, having been targeted by more than 2,800 missiles and drones during the war.


GCC Denounces Iranian Attacks on UAE as Dangerous Regional Escalation

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
TT

GCC Denounces Iranian Attacks on UAE as Dangerous Regional Escalation

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA
Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi. SPA

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi expressed the council's strongest condemnation of the flagrant Iranian attacks targeting the United Arab Emirates.

He emphasized that this act of aggression constitutes a blatant violation of the sovereignty of a GCC member state and represents a dangerous escalation that threatens the security and stability of the region, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

He stressed that targeting the UAE is unacceptable and reprehensible behavior by all standards, reflecting an escalatory approach that disregards the rules of international law and the principles of good neighborliness.

Furthermore, he called upon the international community to assume its responsibilities to halt these repeated Iranian attacks and put an immediate end to irresponsible actions that undermine regional and international peace and security.

Albudaiwi underlined the GCC’s full and steadfast solidarity with the UAE, standing as a united front in support of all measures taken to protect its security, safeguard its sovereignty, and preserve the safety of its vital facilities.


MWL Condemns Iranian Aggression against the UAE

The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
TT

MWL Condemns Iranian Aggression against the UAE

The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
The Muslim World League (MWL) logo

The Muslim World League (MWL) condemned Iran’s targeting of civilian and economic facilities in the United Arab Emirates, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

In a statement issued by the MWL General Secretariat, Secretary-General and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa condemned Iran's attacks, describing them as criminal acts that violate all religious principles as well as international humanitarian law.

He stressed the league’s full solidarity with the UAE in all measures it takes to safeguard its security, sovereignty, and the safety of its citizens and residents.

On Monday, the United Arab Emirates said it came under attack by Iran for the first time since a fragile ceasefire took hold in early April.