UAE Defense Ministry Says Civilian Contractor Killed in Bahrain

 People sit along the corniche area on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, in Abu Dhabi on March 20, 2026. (AFP)
People sit along the corniche area on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, in Abu Dhabi on March 20, 2026. (AFP)
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UAE Defense Ministry Says Civilian Contractor Killed in Bahrain

 People sit along the corniche area on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, in Abu Dhabi on March 20, 2026. (AFP)
People sit along the corniche area on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan, in Abu Dhabi on March 20, 2026. (AFP)

The UAE defense ministry said on Tuesday that a Moroccan contractor with the Emirati military was killed in Bahrain in an Iranian attack, with Manama saying the man had been assisting the local armed forces.

"The Ministry of Defense mourns the loss of a Moroccan civilian contractor serving with the UAE Armed Forces, who was martyred during a routine mission in the Kingdom of Bahrain following an Iranian missile attack," the UAE ministry said in a statement on X.

Five UAE ministry of defense personnel were also injured in the attack, the statement added.

Bahrain's military had announced that a UAE army personnel was killed in its territory while helping Bahraini forces defend against Iranian attacks.

It said UAE and Bahraini army personnel had also been injured without specifying how many.

Gulf forces have reported coming under attack in Bahrain before.



Saudi Hajj Minister Discusses Improvements, Preparations for Next Season

Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah reviewed key opportunities and development initiatives for the Hajj season during the meeting. (SPA)
Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah reviewed key opportunities and development initiatives for the Hajj season during the meeting. (SPA)
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Saudi Hajj Minister Discusses Improvements, Preparations for Next Season

Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah reviewed key opportunities and development initiatives for the Hajj season during the meeting. (SPA)
Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah reviewed key opportunities and development initiatives for the Hajj season during the meeting. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq Al-Rabiah met on Friday with representatives of Hajj companies in Mina to evaluate performance, discuss areas for improvement, and begin early preparations for next year’s Hajj.

Al-Rabiah praised the support provided to the Hajj by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, saying their backing has helped in improving services for pilgrims and boosting their overall experience.

He commended the ongoing supervision and follow-up by Interior Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee, which he said helped strengthen coordination and improve operational efficiency during the Hajj season.

Al-Rabiah stressed that preparations for next year’s pilgrimage begin before the current season ends, reflecting the Hajj system’s continuous-work approach aimed at improving service quality and elevating the experience of pilgrims.

The minister stressed the importance of building on the successes achieved during this year’s Hajj and benefiting from lessons learned, performance indicators, and pilgrim satisfaction surveys.

Continuous development remains a core principle of the system serving the pilgrims, he declared.

The meeting reviewed several development initiatives related to digital services, contracting mechanisms, improving the pilgrim experience, and increasing the efficiency of services in housing, transportation, crowd movement, and support services.

The meeting falls within the ministry’s broader efforts to prepare early for the next Hajj season in line with the leadership’s directives to care for pilgrims and continue developing the Hajj system in a way that supports the objectives of the Pilgrim Experience Program, one of the initiatives of Saudi Vision 2030, and enhances the pilgrim experience throughout every stage of the spiritual journey.


Iraq Condemns Rocket Attacks against Kuwait

Kuwait blamed Iran for the attack, saying it was a dangerous escalation and violation of its sovereignty. (KUNA)
Kuwait blamed Iran for the attack, saying it was a dangerous escalation and violation of its sovereignty. (KUNA)
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Iraq Condemns Rocket Attacks against Kuwait

Kuwait blamed Iran for the attack, saying it was a dangerous escalation and violation of its sovereignty. (KUNA)
Kuwait blamed Iran for the attack, saying it was a dangerous escalation and violation of its sovereignty. (KUNA)

Iraq condemned on Friday the rocket and drone attacks against Kuwait earlier this week.

Kuwait blamed Iran for the attack, saying it was a dangerous escalation and violation of its sovereignty and security.

The Iraqi Foreign Ministry underscored Iraq’s “rejection of all acts that threaten the security and stability of countries in the region.”

In a statement, it urged the need for restraint and avert escalation in the region, calling for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve crises.

Iraq supports all international and regional efforts aimed at preventing the circle of violence from expanding, it added.

It also backs efforts to reach peaceful solutions that preserve the security and stability of the peoples of the region.

Iraq did not pin blame on Iran. Kuwait condemned “the Iranian attacks” that targeted its territories, saying they were a “direct threat to civilians and vital installations.”

The US military on Thursday accused Iran of violating the fragile ceasefire in the region following the attack.


Saudi Interior Minister Receives Syrian Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz met with Syrian Minister of Interior Anas Khattab. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz met with Syrian Minister of Interior Anas Khattab. (SPA)
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Saudi Interior Minister Receives Syrian Counterpart

Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz met with Syrian Minister of Interior Anas Khattab. (SPA)
Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz met with Syrian Minister of Interior Anas Khattab. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Supreme Hajj Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz received on Friday Syrian Minister of Interior Anas Khattab at the ministry’s headquarters in Makkah, the Saudi Press Agency said.

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed areas of existing cooperation and security coordination between the two brotherly countries and discussed a number of topics of mutual interest.

The Syrian interior minister praised this year’s Hajj season, which reflects the level of care the Kingdom extends to pilgrims, as well as its advanced organizational and operational capabilities that have contributed to providing a safe and smooth environment for pilgrims. He also commended the season’s integrated services and efficient crowd management.

Several senior officials attended the meeting.