Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid Al-Falih said on Wednesday that the Houthi attack on a Saudi oil tanker west of the Yemeni port of Hodeidah will not disrupt oil supplies or affect economic activity.
Al-Faleh described the terrorist attack on Twitter as a desperate attempt to influence the security of international navigation, saying it had failed. He also expressed his confidence in the vigilance of the Saudi-led Arab Coalition to support the internationally recognised government of Yemen and its ability to counter Houthi militant attacks.
Spokesperson for the coalition Colonel Turki Al-Maliki said on Tuesday that around 1:30pm Saudi time, one of the Saudi oil tankers was attacked by Houthi militias in international waters, west of the port of Hodeidah, which is controlled by the armed militias backed by Iran.
He said the attempted attack was foiled after a quick intervention by one of the alliance’s naval vessels.
“The tanker suffered a minor injury but completed its navigational line and sailed north accompanied by one of the naval coalition ships,” Al-Maliki.
Colonel Al-Maliki stressed that this militant attack poses a serious threat to the freedom of maritime navigation and international trade in the Bab al-Mandab and Red Sea straits, which could also cause environmental and economic damage.
He pointed out that the continuation of these attempts reveals the danger of this militia and those behind it on regional and international security, and confirms the continued use of the port of Hodeidah as a starting point for terrorist operations as well as the smuggling of rockets and weapons.
Al-Maliki stated that the leadership of the joint forces of the coalition has adopted and implemented measures to maintain security and stability and ensure freedom of navigation and international trade in the Strait of Bab al-Mandab and the Red Sea. This is part of its commitment to its essential role in making Yemen safe and stable, he added.
The spokesperson also reiterated the call for the importance of placing the port of Hodeidah under international supervision and preventing its use as a military base to launch attacks against shipping lines.
Energy minister: Houthi attack on Saudi tanker will not disrupt supplies
Energy minister: Houthi attack on Saudi tanker will not disrupt supplies
- Khalid Al-Falih described the attack as a desperate attempt to influence the security of international navigation
- He pointed out that the continuation of these attempts reveals the danger of this militia and those behind it on regional and international security
Saudi Arabia ‘categorically rejects’ Israel’s plan to seize Gaza territory
- Israeli authorities on Monday approved plans to take over territory and forcibly displace population
- Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemns Israel’s violations of international law
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has “categorically rejected” plans by Israel to expand its military operations in Gaza and seize control of the territory.
The ministry also “strongly condemned the continued Israeli violations of international law and international humanitarian law.”
Israeli authorities on Monday approved a new ground operation to take over parts of Gaza, forcibly displace Palestinians into the south of the territory, and control the distribution of humanitarian aid. The Israeli army is calling up tens of thousands of reserve soldiers.
The announcement sparked widespread international condemnation. Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry said it stood firmly opposed to any attempted expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories, and stressed the importance of holding Israel accountable for failures to comply with international resolutions.
The Kingdom continues to have “unwavering support for the Palestinian cause, in line with international legitimacy, the Arab Peace Initiative, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, with east Jerusalem as its capital,” the ministry added.
Saudi project destroys 600 more Houthi landmines and other explosives in Yemen
- The devices, cleared from various parts of the war-torn country in recent months, were safely detonated on Wednesday
- Project Masam has removed nearly 500,000 mines across Yemen since its launch in 2018
RIYADH: Members of the Saudi Project for Landmine Clearance, also known as Project Masam, safely detonated 600 mines, unexploded ordnance and other explosive devices on Wednesday.
The project’s engineers had demined and removed the devices over the past few months from various parts of Yemen, including the town of Beihan and the districts of Usaylan and Ain in Shabwah governorate.
Hussein Al-Aqili, commander of the project’s survey team, said they carried out the destruction operation in the Thahba area of Ain district on Wednesday as part of their ongoing mission to clear mines and other remnants of war in Yemen, and save civilian lives.
The project has cleared nearly 500,000 mines from the country since its work there began in 2018.
Last week, Ousama Algosaibi, the managing director of Masam, warned that the Houthis continue to exploit periods of truce to plant more mines across Yemen.
“We are in a constant race with the Houthi militias; we clear mines from one side while they plant more on the other,” he said during an interview with Al-Ekhbariya TV.
Saudi ambassador meets Bahrain King’s media affairs adviser
Saudi Ambassador to Bahrain Naif bin Bandar Al-Sudairi was received by Nabeel bin Yacoub Al-Hamer, media affairs adviser to the King of Bahrain, in Manama on Wednesday.
The adviser expressed his pride in the solid fraternal relations and deep-rooted historical ties that bind the two countries, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
He also wished Al-Sudairi continued success in his duties, which will further support and strengthen the fraternal ties, mutual coordination, and close cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain in various fields, and particularly in the media.
Saudi commission expands music access for people with disabilities
- Push for accessible arts programming reflects wider goals for social development
MAKKAH: Saudi Arabia’s Music Commission has launched a national initiative to expand access to music education for people with disabilities, marking a key step toward their greater inclusion in the Kingdom’s cultural landscape.
Focused on Riyadh, Jeddah and Alkhobar, the program trains instructors to teach students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
It supports the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to elevate quality of life and ensure opportunities for all segments of society.
Music education expert Issa Al-Qarbi praised the initiative as a transformative step in supporting individuals with disabilities.
“Music is a highly effective medium for stimulating brain activity, developing motor and social skills, and enhancing overall psychological well-being,” he said.
The initiative includes adapting teaching methods, specialized curricula and fully accessible learning environments aligned with the requirements of the Mowaamah certification, a program which provides support to increase participation among disabled individuals in the labor market.
In designing the program, the commission partnered with international experts in music on the curricula and programs that align with global best practices.
The existing models were reviewed using the standards set by the National Association for Music Education.
The commission’s goal is to empower students to express themselves through music, boost their self-confidence and enhance their social, cognitive and motor skills.
The students will receive extended training that prepares them for group performances while supporting their artistic, cognitive and social development. Sessions with parents and community members are also being planned to raise awareness and encourage family engagement.
Al-Qarbi said that long-term sustainability and lasting impacts could be ensured by closer partnerships between the education and healthcare sectors.
He praised the initiative as a regional model, opening the door to further research and innovation.
He said that teaching music to individuals with disabilities went beyond technical skills, nurturing essential personal qualities such as patience, discipline and social engagement, which in turn positively influenced many areas of their lives.
