Saudi Govt: Makkah Defense Agreement Strengthens Islamic Solidarity, Advances Common Interests

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
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Saudi Govt: Makkah Defense Agreement Strengthens Islamic Solidarity, Advances Common Interests

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chairs the Cabinet meeting in Jeddah on Tuesday. (SPA)

The Saudi government hailed on Tuesday the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement for reaffirming “the deep-rooted historical ties” between the Kingdom, Türkiye and Pakistan.

It also underscored their “shared commitment to strengthening the bonds of brotherhood and Islamic solidarity while advancing their common strategic interests.”

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud chaired the Cabinet session that was held in Jeddah.

King Salman expressed his gratitude to Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan; and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif for their successful and blessed efforts in convening the summit last week.

King Salman praised the outcomes of the tripartite summit in establishing a framework for a long-term defense partnership that will contribute to strengthening joint cooperation, coordination, and integration between the Kingdom, Türkiye, and Pakistan.

It will help in continuing efforts to address regional challenges and preserve international security and stability in a manner that supports the aspirations of the peoples of the region and the wider international community for a more prosperous and flourishing future.

The Cabinet was then briefed on the message received by King Salman from President of Zimbabwe Emmerson Mnangagwa, as well as the phone calls between Crown Prince Mohammed and French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The Cabinet reviewed regional and international developments and Saudi Arabia’s efforts, through communication and coordination with brotherly and friendly countries, to support de-escalation in the region, advance diplomatic solutions, and strengthen all initiatives that respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states and ensure the security of waterways in the straits of Hormuz and Bab al-Mandeb as they are fundamental pillars of global economic stability.

The Cabinet welcomed the United Nations Security Council statement condemning the attacks and criminal acts committed by the terrorist Houthi militias in Yemen that threaten regional security and freedom of maritime navigation.

It reiterated Saudi Arabia's right to defend its security and resources and its unwavering support for the legitimate Yemeni government and UN-led efforts to achieve peace and stability in Yemen.

The Cabinet commended the steps taken at the Ministerial Meeting in Support of Jerusalem and its Holy Sites in Amman, reaffirming its categorical rejection of all attempts to alter the legal and historical status of Jerusalem or undermine its identity.

It called on the international community to halt Israeli violations in Gaza and the West Bank, protect holy sites, and support the Palestinian people.

The Cabinet noted Riyadh's hosting of the fourth UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in September, saying it reflects the Kingdom's commitment to multi-party global dialogue on emerging technologies and responsible AI use, contributing to a more inclusive and sustainable digital future.

The Cabinet also viewed the Kingdom's successful hosting of the International Nuclear Science Olympiad and Saudi students' top results in the competition as confirmation of its global leadership in scientific events and its commitment to empowering talented individuals in line with Saudi Vision 2030.



GCC Secretary-General Condemns Iranian UAV Attacks on Bahrain

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi
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GCC Secretary-General Condemns Iranian UAV Attacks on Bahrain

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

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi expressed his strong condemnation and denunciation of the treacherous Iranian attacks that targeted the Kingdom of Bahrain using UAVs.

The GCC secretary-general underlined that the continuation of these hostile acts constitutes a flagrant violation of Bahrain's sovereignty, a grave disregard for international law and the United Nations (UN) Charter, as well as a blatant challenge to regional and international efforts aimed at achieving security and stability, SPA reported.

Furthermore, he stressed that Iran's persistence in repeating its assaults on the Kingdom of Bahrain poses a direct threat to the security and stability of the region. He underscored that these practices contradict the principles of good neighborliness and represent a clear violation of relevant Security Council resolutions, necessitating a resolute international stance to halt these attacks and hold those responsible accountable.

​Albudaiwi renewed the GCC states' full solidarity and standing with the Kingdom of Bahrain, as well as their support for all measures it takes to protect its sovereignty, security, and the safety of its citizens and residents on its territories.

 

He asserted that the security of the Kingdom of Bahrain is an integral and indivisible part of the shared Gulf security, and that any infringement on the sovereignty of any member state is an infringement on the security of all GCC states.​​


Bahrain Says it Intercepted Iranian Projectiles

Visitors tour the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Achievements Exhibition at the National Aerospace Park outside Tehran, Iran, 12 November 2026. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH
Visitors tour the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Achievements Exhibition at the National Aerospace Park outside Tehran, Iran, 12 November 2026. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH
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Bahrain Says it Intercepted Iranian Projectiles

Visitors tour the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Achievements Exhibition at the National Aerospace Park outside Tehran, Iran, 12 November 2026. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH
Visitors tour the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Achievements Exhibition at the National Aerospace Park outside Tehran, Iran, 12 November 2026. EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH

Bahrain's military said Sunday that its air defense systems had intercepted a number of Iranian projectiles before they reached their targets.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps said it had attacked a US military base in Bahrain in retaliation for "hostile US actions,” Iran's Fars news agency reported.

The Revolutionary Guards said they had launched six drones targeting a US air-defense radar at the Al-Rifaa helicopter base in ⁠Bahrain, Iranian state-run Press ⁠TV reported.

Bahrain, home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, earlier urged citizens and residents to remain calm and proceed to the nearest safe location, the interior ministry said.

“Iran continues its systematic hostile approach through its sinful attacks targeting the Kingdom of Bahrain,” the statement added.

President Donald Trump has said in recent days that he might hold off on attacking Iran if the US faces no new provocations from Tehran or the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, but that he would maintain a US naval blockade, Reuters reported on Saturday.


Arab Coalition Intercepts Missiles Towards Riyadh, Drones in Eastern Province

Official Spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki
Official Spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki
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Arab Coalition Intercepts Missiles Towards Riyadh, Drones in Eastern Province

Official Spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki
Official Spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki

The Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen said on Sunday it had intercepted two Houthi ballistic missiles launched towards the Saudi capital Riyadh and three drones in the Kingdom's Eastern Province.

"Air defenses intercepted and destroyed two ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi terrorist militia toward Riyadh," Official Spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Major General Turki Al-Malki said.

He earlier said in separate statements that Saudi air defenses had destroyed three drones in the country's Eastern region.