RIYADH: A massive military exercise to support security, stability and cooperation in the region begins on Sunday when the Joint Gulf Shield-1 drill gets underway after leaders of the participating forces completed the command center exercises.
“The field exercise lasts for four consecutive days,” said the spokesman for the Joint Gulf Shield 1, Brig. Gen. Al-Subaie, a live-fire exercise involving participating countries’ forces (ground, air, naval, air defense and special forces).
Al-Subaie said the exercise aims to raise the competencies of the participating forces to face the challenges and threats within a joint operation environment, in order to achieve the concept of joint action, where many modern and sophisticated weapons are used.
The Gulf Shield 1 drill, organized by the Ministry of Defense in Saudi Arabia, is attended by 23 brotherly countries. Last week, one of the largest military action plans in the world concentrated on field training.
The Gulf Shield 1 drill is a turning point in terms of the techniques used in accordance with the most modern military systems in the world.
Tens of thousands of soldiers have arrived in the Kingdom to join the military exercise, which is considered the largest in the region in terms of the number of participating countries and the equipment used.
Various activities involving joint operational planning, training, demonstrations, seminars on professional topics, and cultural events will be conducted in the harbor phase of the exercise, with the aim of mutually benefiting the participants and generating goodwill.
Irregular warfare, coastal defense, combat search and rescue, naval warfare exercises and extensive flying operations will also be conducted during the sea phase of the exercise.
Observers from various participating countries will board Pakistan Navy ships during the sea phase. Warships from Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, the UAE and US will also participate.
Pakistan is the leading contributor to Joint Gulf Shield-1, both in terms of personnel and assets, which is reflective of the strong bilateral defense relations between Islamabad and Riyadh.
According to strategic experts, the month-long military drill in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia is important for preparing to address any causes of instability and threats to the region.
The exercise reflects the conviction of these countries that joint cooperation on the basis of integrated military understanding and coordination, both regionally and globally, is the cornerstone of confronting the threats and dangers that face the world.
23 countries take part in Gulf Shield-1 military drills in Saudi Arabia
23 countries take part in Gulf Shield-1 military drills in Saudi Arabia
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Saudi women honored for their achievements by Princess Nourah excellence awards
- The event recognizes outstanding contributions of women in 6 categories: natural sciences, health sciences, social initiatives, artistic works, economic projects and humanities
- Organizers of the awards this year receive a record-breaking 714 nominations from across the Kingdom
RIYADH: Saudi women were honored for their achievements at the seventh Princess Nourah Award for Women’s Excellence in Riyadh on Wednesday.
The event, held under the patronage of King Salman, this year recognized and celebrated the outstanding contributions of women in six categories.
Princess Mashael Saud Al-Shaalan was honored in the health sciences category, Dr. Thamraa Alshahrani received the natural sciences award, and Al-Jawhara Mahmoud Hamza was recognized for her contributions to social initiatives.
Sarah Al-Suhaimi was the recipient of the award for economic projects, Marzouqa Al-Armani for artistic works, and Hind Al-Sudairy in the field of humanities.
The awards were presented by Princess Fahda bint Falah Al-Hithlain, the king’s spouse. Inas Al-Issa, the president of Princess Nourah University, and Ibtisam Al-Othman, secretary-general of the awards body, gave speeches during the ceremony.
The organizers of the awards this year received a record-breaking 714 nominations from across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The awards aim to recognize and support outstanding work led by women and inspire future generations to contribute to national development.
Hamas launches appeal against UK ban
- The legal submission claims the ban violates the UK’s human rights obligations, with the militants defending the Palestinian struggle as a legitimate fight for independence and national unity
LONDON: UK-based lawyers said they have asked the British government to lift a ban on the Palestinian militant group Hamas, a petition that has drawn sharp criticism from opposition politicians.
The legal submission argues the ban contravenes Britain's human rights commitments, with the militants insisting on "the legitimacy of the struggle of the Palestinian people for independence, territorial integrity, national unity and liberation."
The military wing of Hamas was designated a "terrorist group" by the UK in 2001. The United States and the European Union consider Hamas a terror group.
Hamas's proscription was extended in 2021 to include the political wing, with the group considered a "complex but single terrorist organisation", according to the government website.
In the UK, belonging to, encouraging and expressing support for a proscribed organisation, among other acts, are criminal offences.
The Home Office said it did not comment on proscription matters.
The submission to the UK interior ministry was announced by London-based firm Riverway Law on Wednesday.
It added the right to resist "foreign occupation by all available means, including armed struggle, is moral, legitimate and explicitly enshrined in international law."
Hamas militants stormed over Israel's border with the Gaza Strip to carry out the October 7, 2023 attack against Israel in which 1,218 people were killed on the Israeli side, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures.
In retaliation, Israel vowed to crush Hamas and has relentlessly bombarded Gaza, with the death toll since the start of the war now at more than 50,000 people, mostly civilians, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry.
Riverway Law said it was instructed by Mousa Abu Marzouk, a senior Hamas official.
By banning Hamas "Britain is effectively denying the Palestinians the right to defend themselves", the lawyers said in a statement on X.
The submission argues that the proscription of Hamas is "disproportionate" because the group "does not pose any threat" to Britain's national security.
The plea says the ban goes against Britain's human rights duties, including under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) -- which has become a target of UK's political right since Britain left the European Union in 2020.
The application has drawn sharp criticism from opposition politicians, with shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel slamming the group as a "evil, Iranian-backed terrorist organisation".
"Those campaigning to end the proscription of Hamas fail to understanding the seriousness of the threats this terrorist organisation poses", Patel said in a statement.
Saudi FM meets US counterpart in Washington
- The diplomats discussed boosting coordination and joint action regarding regional and international issues, including developments in the Gaza Strip, Sudan, Yemen, and the Russia-Ukraine crisis
- Prince Faisal also met with US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz at the White House
RIYADH: Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, met in the US capital on Wednesday Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The diplomats discussed boosting coordination and joint action regarding regional and international issues, including developments in the Gaza Strip, Sudan, Yemen, and the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
They also reviewed enhancing bilateral strategic relations and opportunities in various fields, in addition to efforts aimed at achieving international peace and security.
Princess Reema bint Bandar, Saudi ambassador to the US, attended the meeting.
Prince Faisal also met with US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz at the White House in Washington, D.C.
During the meeting, the two officials reviewed the strategic Saudi-American relations, explored prospects for cooperation, and discussed ways to further enhance them, SPA reported.
They also addressed a number of issues and topics of mutual interest, the report added.
Princess Reema and Advisor to the Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Prince Musab bin Mohammed Al-Farhan also attended the meeting.
Prince Faisal arrived in the United States on Tuesday for an official visit.
Saudi crown prince, French president discuss relations
- They also tackled regional and international issues and efforts aimed at achieving security and stability
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a phone call on Wednesday from French President Emmanuel Macron, the Saudi Press Agency said.
The pair discussed enhancing bilateral relations and cooperation.
They also spoke about regional and international issues and efforts aimed at achieving security and stability.
Saudi crown prince, UK prime minister discuss relations during call
- They also reviewed issues of mutual interest
RIYADH: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received a phone call on Wednesday from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Saudi Press Agency said.
The pair discussed ways of enchaining bilateral relations and cooperation.
They also reviewed issues of mutual interest.
