RIYADH: The Joint Incidents Assessment Team (JIAT) said on Tuesday that it had discovered no mistakes in five incidents involving the Saudi-led Coalition in Yemen that it reviewed. The review attested that the coalition had acted in accordance with international humanitarian law.
Case 20 concerned a report by the International Committee of the Red Cross that said coalition forces on Aug. 23, 2017, carried out airstrikes in Sanaa governorate. One of the strikes hit a building with shops and a hotel; information indicates (50) were killed and (54) injured.
JIAT found that, based on intelligence information, there was a battalion of Houthi militia in the building and a military checkpoint in front of it operated by the Houthi militia.
“The coalition forces executed an air mission on Aug. 23, 2017, to target the building and the military checkpoint, which are considered legitimate military objectives,” JIAT spokesman Mansour Al-Mansour said.
Case 76 concerned a High Commissioner for Human Rights report that stated coalition forces carried out an airstrike on a vehicle in Al-Matammah directorate on Sept. 20, 2016, which killed 15 civilians.
Based on intelligence, the JIAT found that the pickup truck was carrying Houthi leaders.
Case 77 stated that on Feb. 14, 2016, two explosions hit Qishla castle. “According to locals, the castle was closed to the public since the beginning of the war because it had been used by the Houthi militia and Saleh forces. The attack did not cause any injuries or deaths of civilians,” Al-Mansour said.
Case 78 said on Feb. 9, 2016, a house in Al-Mansoura area was hit by a missile that killed four people and injured a child.
JIAT found that coalition forces did not conduct any air missions on the day of the claim “as it was freed from the Houthi militias at that time,” Al-Mansour said.
Case 79 concerned an airstrike next to the court building in Maqbanah directorate on May 18, 2017, which killed 16 people.
JIAT reviewed the daily mission schedule for the day of the claim and found that the Saudi-led coalition did not have an air mission on Maqbanah directorate.
No mistakes in 5 Yemen incidents involving Saudi-led coalition, says review panel
No mistakes in 5 Yemen incidents involving Saudi-led coalition, says review panel
- Based on intelligence, the JIAT found that the pickup truck was carrying Houthi leaders
- JIAT found that coalition forces did not conduct any air missions on the day of the claim
Harvard students explore Jeddah’s history, culture
- This visit is part of a national initiative organized by Saudi students at Harvard University
Jeddah: The Jeddah Historic District Program of the Ministry of Culture recently hosted a delegation of students from Harvard University, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The students were given a tour of the Jeddah Historic District, known as Al-Balad, highlighting its distinctive architectural, cultural and economic landmarks.
They also participated in activities commemorating World Arabic Language Day, which further enhanced their understanding of the area’s rich heritage.
This visit is part of a national initiative organized by Saudi students at Harvard University to showcase the Kingdom’s cultural and economic development to their peers, the SPA reported.
The Jeddah Historic District Program plays a crucial role in revitalizing the area through community engagement, economic development and sustainable urban planning.
By transforming historic Jeddah into a vibrant environment for living and working, the program aims to establish it as a global heritage and tourist destination.
Saudi project clears 570 Houthi mines in Yemen
Riyadh: Members of Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam removed 570 explosive devices from various regions of Yemen last week.
The total included two anti-personnel mines, 50 anti-tank mines, 508 unexploded ordnances and 10 explosive devices, according to a recent report.
Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the initiative’s managing director, said a total of 473,258 mines had been cleared since its inception in 2018.
The explosives were planted indiscriminately and posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.
The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.
The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.
Teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate safe movement for civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.
About 5 million people have been forced to flee their homes since the start of the conflict in Yemen, many of them displaced by the presence of land mines.
Riyadh forum explores reading’s role in growth
RIYADH: The Reading Forum, organized by the Libraries Commission, recently concluded at King Abdullah Financial District in Riyadh.
The forum featured dialogue sessions and workshops attracting reading and culture enthusiasts, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.
Discussions covered novels as artistic expressions that reflect culture and history, foster critical thinking, and the role of narration in promoting cross-cultural dialogue.
Participants highlighted reading and research as tools for personal growth, lifelong learning, and effective content creation.
They emphasized the importance of translation in cultural exchange and global copyright, the SPA reported.
Sessions explored instilling a love for reading in youth through collaboration between families, schools and society, as well as leadership in literary trends and the impact of genres on critical thinking.
The event set out to position reading as a foundation of progress, celebrating Saudi, Arab and global literary talent while fostering a culture of knowledge and intellectual growth.
Riyadh festival explores role of theater in shaping intellectual, artistic futures
RIYADH: The Riyadh Theater Festival is hosting a series of cultural discussions and theatrical performances distinguished by intellectual depth and artistic excellence.
Organized by the Theater and Performing Arts Commission, the festival is being held at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University until Dec. 26.
A seminar on contemporary theater in the Arab world explored the intersection of creativity and sustainability, bringing together an elite group of theater thinkers and creators.
One of the festival’s participants, Kamal Al-Alawi from Tunisia, reviewed the evolution of theater, tracing its journey from the Greek era through the Middle Ages and the Renaissance to the time of Emile Zola, which marked a qualitative shift and revolution in impressionism.
Among the intellectuals and theater experts, Lina Abiad from Lebanon discussed ways to improve theatrical production and modernize it using contemporary methodologies.
The commission’s CEO, Sultan Al-Bazie, described the festival as a cornerstone for advancing theatrical movement in the Kingdom and increasing public awareness of the performing arts.
This year’s event features 20 performances, selected by a committee of experts, reflecting the diversity of theatrical arts in the Kingdom and its intellectual and developmental programs.
The festival underscores the commission’s commitment to supporting the performing arts and Saudi talent, aiming for a strong presence on regional and international stages. It will conclude with a presentation of awards to distinguished performers.
Jeddah Book Fair wraps up with 450,000 books sold
- The event hosted workshops, seminars, panel discussions and book signings led by experts in literature, arts and sports
Jeddah: The Jeddah Book Fair concluded on Saturday, attracting thousands of visitors with local and international booksellers.
Held from Dec. 12-21 under the slogan “Jeddah Reads,” the fair featured more than 450 pavilions and showcased works from 1,000 publishing houses across 22 countries.
Mohammed Alwan, CEO of the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission, said that the fair displayed nearly 400,000 titles, selling more than 450,000 books in various genres.
The event hosted workshops, seminars, panel discussions and book signings led by experts in literature, arts and sports.
A dedicated children’s section featured animation, educational books and advanced learning tools.
One pavilion highlighted the cultural significance of camels, using modern technology to explore their history, types, and related poetry.
Arabic manga publications targeting youth were also a key attraction, alongside interactive displays and models of famous characters, offering a blend of entertainment and education.
