Author: Mahdeehassan

NEW YORK CITY: Attacks by the Yemen-based Houthis on airports and other civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia raise the question of possible war crimes, the UN’s top human rights official told Arab News, as he also condemned the detention of dozens of UN staff in Yemen by the Iran-backed militia. Volker Turk, the UN’s high commissioner for human rights, said that under international humanitarian law, a civilian airport can only be attacked if it is a legitimate military target. “If you start attacking civilians, civilian infrastructure, it does raise questions of war crimes, indeed,” he said during a press briefing…

RIYADH: Prince Abdulrahman bin Mohammed bin Ayyaf, the Saudi vice minister of defense, attended the graduation ceremony at the King Abdulaziz Military Academy in Al-Uyaynah on Wednesday. He was representing Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The students had all completed officer qualification courses, including theoretical instruction and practical field exercises, in various branches of the armed forces. The prince posed for photographs with each of the graduates, who also took an oath and were given their rank. He also presented honors to the most outstanding students. The ceremony concluded with the playing of the…

RIYADH: Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman on Wednesday discussed ways to strengthen bilateral defense cooperation with his Kuwaiti and Malaysian counterparts. During a phone call, Prince Khalid and Mohamed Khaled Nordin of Malaysia reviewed regional developments and condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and Islamic holy sites, the Saudi Press Agency reported. In a separate phone call, Prince Khalid discussed regional developments and defense cooperation with his Kuwaiti counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah Ali Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The two ministers reaffirmed Saudi Arabia and Kuwait’s solidarity in addressing shared security challenges and threats to their…

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sent separate cables of condolences to Spain’s King Felipe VI after a high-speed train collision south of Madrid killed 68 people.  “We extend our deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to your majesty, the families of the deceased, and your friendly people. We wish the injured a speedy recovery and pray that you may be spared any further misfortune,” King Salman said. The crown prince sent a similar message. Earlier on Wednesday, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan offered his condolences during a phone call with Spanish Foreign Minister…

RIYADH: The president of the Saudi Water Authority inspected several water and infrastructure projects in Riyadh and the Eastern Region on Wednesday. Abdullah Ibrahim Al-Abdul-Karim visited projects aimed at reducing energy consumption and increasing Riyadh’s daily water supply by around 1.2 million cubic meters, in order to see how they are progressing. A key initiative is underway to transmit water through pipes from the Eastern Province to Riyadh, where water storage facilities are being built, to keep pace with urban and population growth. Water infrastructure developed and implemented by Saudi contracting companies has reduced energy consumption by more than 10…

RIYADH: Dr. Rayed Krimly, deputy minister for public diplomacy, met Italian Ambassador to the Kingdom Carlo Baldocci in Riyadh on Sunday. During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations and discussed ways to further strengthen and develop them to advance the shared aspirations of both countries. Meanwhile, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Rassi, deputy minister for international multilateral affairs and general supervisor of the economic and development affairs deputyship, met Ambassador of Norway to Saudi Arabia Kjersti Tromsdal in Riyadh. The diplomats discusses topics of mutual interest.

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief on Tuesday launched a new package of humanitarian projects expected to benefit more than 3.4 million people in Yemen during a visit by Rashad Al-Alimi, chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, to its headquarters in Riyadh. The initiatives, covering emergency food assistance, shelter, clean water and healthcare, were unveiled alongside 100 Saudi volunteer programs expected to benefit another 265,000 people, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The announcement comes as renewed fighting between Yemen’s internationally recognized government and the Houthi militia has forced more than 276,000 people from their homes since June, according to the International…

RIYADH: Debris from two intercepted ballistic missiles damaged a building, a construction project and a vehicle in Riyadh on Tuesday, according to Saudi Civil Defense. A spokesperson said the missiles were launched by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militia and destroyed before the debris fell in the Saudi capital. Civil Defense crews responded to the incident and followed established procedures. The spokesperson did not say whether anyone was injured. Earlier on Tuesday, air defenses intercepted and destroyed three ballistic missiles aimed at the Kingdom’s Eastern Province. They also shot down four drones targeting southern Saudi Arabia, the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in…

RIYADH: The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said early on Wednesday that it had intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by Yemen's Houthis towards the western Saudi city of Taif, as cross-border hostilities between the kingdom and the Iran-aligned group have intensified.  Saudi Civil Defense issued early warning alerts for a potential hostile threat in Jeddah and Yanbu governorates, before saying minutes later that the danger had passed in both areas. Earlier on Tuesday evening debris from two intercepted ballistic missiles damaged a building, a construction project and a vehicle in Riyadh on Tuesday, according to Saudi Civil Defense. A spokesperson said…

RIYADH: The Saudi Embassy has welcomed the inclusion of Saudi citizens in the US Global Entry program, describing it as another milestone in the longstanding strategic partnership between the two countries. The embassy said: “The agreement reflects the depth of mutual trust and close cooperation between the two countries, particularly in security, border management and travel facilitation. It is a tangible step toward strengthening people-to-people ties and expanding connectivity between the two nations.” Saudi citizens are now eligible to apply for Global Entry, a US Customs and Border Protection program that expedites entry for pre-approved, low-risk travelers. Approved members will…