AL-AWAMIYAH: Residents will soon be able to return to their homes almost three months after an escalation in security operations to clear terrorists and criminals from Al-Musawara, a village in Al-Awamiyah in Qatif.
With Saudi Special Security Forces (SSSF) in control of the area since Friday, construction crews have been able to begin repairing homes and businesses damaged in the clashes that forced 428 families to flee.
In May, development work on a shopping and recreation project in the village had to be halted after construction workers came under heavy arms fire from militants. A bulldozer driver and a two-year-old child were killed.
As SSSF officers moved to restore order they were met with heavy arms fire, including rocket propelled grenades and improvised explosive devices, from abandoned buildings. Residents were forced to flee as the attacks grew more aggressive and deadly.
“Citizens were calling asking for help to escape,” said Fahd, an officer in Al-Musawara. “We rescued many families. Some of them told us that any time they stepped out of a building they would be shot at. The terrorists were not allowing them to leave.”
In a single day, a police officer was killed and six others wounded when their patrol came under fire.
Between July 22 and July 30, at least five people were killed as security forces began to flush out the remaining terrorists and criminals.
“When the next stage of the development began in May of this year, the demolition stage, the village had to be completely unoccupied. As demolition works began, construction workers were being shot at,” said Essam Abdulatif Al-Mulla, acting mayor of Qatif. “Terrorists and criminals escalated their assault and at that the police began a mandatory evacuation.”
In several years of clashes in Qatif, 28 police officers have been killed and 195 wounded, the Interior Ministry says. In addition, 21 Saudi citizens and seven expatriates have been killed, and 109 Saudis and 26 expatriates injured.
Last Wednesday, after an intense campaign by security forces, Al-Musawara was declared 90 percent safe and by Friday it was declared completely free of terrorist and criminal elements.
The area is now empty and demolition of the most damaged areas, which became a hideout for terrorists, wanted individuals and criminals, can begin.
Reconstruction of buildings in the surrounding district and the restoration of utilities are thought to be a few weeks away.
Residents soon to return home to Saudi village as terrorists are expelled and rehab begins
Residents soon to return home to Saudi village as terrorists are expelled and rehab begins
Saudi Arabia showcases literary, cultural heritage at London International Book Fair
- Presence led by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission
LONDON: Saudi Arabia launched its pavilion at the London International Book Fair on Tuesday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Led by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, the Kingdom’s participation runs until Thursday at the event held at Olympia London, which will bring together key literary and publishing institutions.
Abdul Latif Al-Wasil, the commission’s CEO, said that Saudi Arabia’s presence at the fair aims to highlight its efforts in developing the literary landscape, supporting local publishers on the global stage, and strengthening ties between Saudi and international publishing sectors.
Through its three core areas — literature, publishing and translation — the commission seeks to promote Saudi cultural heritage, enhance collaboration with global literary stakeholders and showcase the Kingdom’s growing contributions to the international literary scene, the SPA added.
The Saudi pavilion will foster cultural exchange between the Kingdom and UK, as well as encourage knowledge-sharing and cooperation in literature, publishing and translation. It also provides an opportunity to market Saudi publishing services, introduce local literary agencies to a wider audience, and build strategic relationships within the global publishing industry.
The Saudi delegation at the London International Book Fair includes five key government agencies: the King Salman International Academy for the Arabic Language, the King Abdulaziz Foundation, the King Abdulaziz Public Library, the King Fahd National Library and the Publishing Association.
Saudi Vision 2030 is ‘the beginning of a very good story,’ says head of UN Women
- Momentum in the Kingdom is undeniable, Sima Bahous notes during event on sidelines of the 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women
- Saudi envoy Abdulaziz Alwasil, chair of the commission this year, outlines the transformative strides country has taken to advance gender equality and empowerment of women
NEW YORK CITY: Vision 2030 has become a reality of empowerment for all women and girls in Saudi Arabia, according to Sima Bahous, the executive director of UN Women.
She predicted that the rise of women and their role in the Kingdom in recent years is just the beginning — “and the beginning of a very good story.”
Bahous was speaking at a high-level event on the sidelines of the 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, during which Abdulaziz Alwasil, the Kingdom’s envoy to the UN and chairperson of the commission this year, outlined the transformative strides Saudi Arabia has taken to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women in various sectors.
The event, titled “From Vision to Reality: Saudi Arabia’s Story of Women’s Empowerment,” highlighted the policies and initiatives that have helped to propel the participation of women in the Kingdom’s labor market, and promote their roles in diverse fields such as technology, innovation and renewable energy.
“We have seen the removal of employment restrictions, growing opportunities for female entrepreneurs, and the rise of women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and leadership roles,” Bahous said.
“This is a shift not just about numbers but it is a shift about impact, and it is only the beginning of the story — and the beginning of a very good story.”
The way forward, she continued, is clear: partnerships need to be strengthened, policies must be implemented and institutions should be reinforced.
“We need inclusive economies, gender-balanced leadership and data-driven solutions to track and sustain progress,” Bahous said.
“And we need to listen to young women, to grassroots leaders, to those driving change from the ground up.”
The momentum in Saudi Arabia is undeniable, she added, and continues to build: “The journey is going but it is not over. The path ahead demands more transformative action. It calls for more progress that is not just imagined by some, but lived by all.”
Vision 2030 is Saudi Arabia’s plan for national development and the diversification of its economy to reduce the reliance on oil.
Women are ‘agents of change’ driving societal shifts: Saudi UN envoy
- Abdulaziz Alwasil highlights Kingdom’s advances in gender equality across range of sectors
- Envoy addresses high-level side event during 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women
NEW YORK: Women are vital partners and agents of change, driving positive societal shifts ranging from economic growth and social justice to peace building, Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the UN has said, adding that their empowerment is essential to achieving a sustainable and more equitable world.
Speaking at a high-level side event during the 69th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, Abdulaziz Alwasil outlined the Kingdom’s transformative strides in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment across various sectors.
The event, titled “From Vision to Reality: Saudi Arabia’s Story of Women’s Empowerment,” shed light on the policies and initiatives that have propelled women’s participation in the labor market and promoted their roles in diverse fields, such as technology, innovation, and renewable energy.
Alwasil told leading officials at the event that the Kingdom has launched a series of policies and initiatives to enhance women’s participation in the labor market and alleviate family burdens that may hinder them from achieving their academic and professional aspirations.
He said that the Kingdom’s efforts have gone beyond setting ambitious goals. Saudi Arabia initially aimed for a 30 percent women’s participation rate in the labor market by the third quarter of 2024. However, that target was exceeded ahead of schedule, with women now making up 36.2 percent of the workforce.
“This achievement underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to empowerment and reflects women’s significant efforts in strengthening their economic involvement,” Alwasil said, emphasizing the importance of creating flexible work environments that support women’s academic and professional ambitions.
The Saudi envoy highlighted the government’s collaborative efforts with civil entities to provide sustainable solutions that promote job stability and ensure women can fully contribute to both economic and social development.
He said that in addition to expanding opportunities in traditional sectors, Saudi Arabia is pushing for women’s involvement in non-traditional fields such as technology, cybersecurity, and renewable energy — key sectors that align with the country’s national ambitions and the evolving demands of the global economy.
“Women are critical partners in our journey toward a prosperous future,” Alwasil said, reaffirming the Kingdom’s dedication to promoting gender equality in sectors such as science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and health.
However, Alwasil also acknowledged persistent challenges, especially in conflict zones. “We face unprecedented crises marked by regional and international tensions,” he said.
“While progress has been made, these crises are accelerating a concerning decline, particularly for women in conflict zones.”
In response, Saudi Arabia is committed to protecting women globally, especially in conflict-stricken areas, and is collaborating with regional and international organizations to ensure their safety and empowerment, said Alwasil.
The Kingdom is also supporting policies that involve women in peacebuilding and humanitarian efforts.
Alwasil reiterated Saudi Arabia’s pledge to remain a pioneer in women’s empowerment, ensuring that women are active participants in all aspects of society.
“Women are vital partners and agents of change,” he said. “Their empowerment is essential to achieving a sustainable and more equitable world.”
Thousands of flags raised in Jeddah to mark Saudi Flag Day
- Occasion celebrated annually on March 11, symbolizing unity, strength of Kingdom
JEDDAH: Thousands of Saudi flags were raised on Tuesday in the Red Sea city of Jeddah to mark Saudi Flag Day.
The occasion is celebrated annually on March 11 and symbolizes the unity and strength of the Kingdom. Authorities this year raised more than 3,000 Saudi flags in the various streets and squares of Jeddah. It was planned that some buildings would be illuminated later in the day with green light to commemorate the occasion.
The Saudi flag has significant national and religious meanings, according to the Saudi Press Agency, and is characterized by its green color, symbolizing prosperity; the Arab sword, symbolizing strength, justice, and wisdom; and the inscription of the Islamic creed.
Saudi tech authority helps drive national digital transformation with e-gates at Kingdom’s airports
- Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority has installed 152 automated e-gates at key airports in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah
- Gates are integrated with a number of other digital systems relating to border control, including visas, biometrics and airline operations
RIYADH: The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority hailed the introduction of electronic passport gates at the Kingdom’s airports as one of the ways in which it is helping to drive the digital transformation in various sectors across the country.
The authority, in partnership with the General Directorate of Passports and aviation-management company Matarat Holding, has installed 152 automated e-gates at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, and Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Madinah, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The e-gates automate the process of entry into the country, significantly speeding up border-control procedures, the authority said. To accomplish this, the gates are integrated with a number of other digital systems relating to border control, including visas, biometrics and airline operations, it added.
