No evidence found that Arab coalition forces in Yemen attacked fishing boat

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Updated 06 February 2020
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No evidence found that Arab coalition forces in Yemen attacked fishing boat

  • The investigation found that Saudi naval ship Makkah and the Egyptian naval ship Alexandria were in the vicinity of the reported attack on Aug. 11 and 14, but did not engage with any surface targets

RIYADH: The Joint Incident Assessment Team in Yemen on Wednesday said it found no evidence to support a report published by the New York Times in Dec. 2018 that claimed Arab Coalition Forces attacked a civilian fishing boat, killing 11 of the 14 crew members.

JIAT spokesman Mansour Al-Mansour said that a reporter from the newspaper contacted the coalition about an alleged attack on the fishing boat Afaq on Aug. 11, 2018. When the story was published, the stated date of the attack was Aug. 14, 2018.

According to the newspaper story: “The first sign of trouble was the helicopter that hovered over the small Yemeni fishing trawler as it cut across the Red Sea. Then a warship appeared, its guns pointed at the boat.

“Bullets thumped into the water around the boat, the Afaq, then rippled through its flimsy wooden hull ... The engine caught fire.”

Al-Mansour said that given the discrepancy regarding the date of the attack in the reporter’s message and the published story, JIAT investigators looked at both dates. They examined the official record of events and operations carried out by naval forces, event logs from naval units and daily intelligence reports. They also interviewed specialists in the Western Fleet and reviewed the rules of engagement for coalition forces and their adherence to the principles and provisions of international humanitarian law and customary norms.

The investigation found that Saudi naval ship Makkah and the Egyptian naval ship Alexandria were in the vicinity of the reported attack on Aug. 11 and 14, but did not engage with any surface targets.

Al-Mansour said that an unarmed helicopter from the Makkah took off at 7:50 a.m. on one of the days to carry out a medical evacuation from the Alexandria. It returned to the Makkah at 10:11 a.m.

The Saudi ship Al-Farouq was docked at Jazan Port and left set sail at 6:04 pm on one of the days. However, there were no aircraft on board.

The investigation team therefore concluded that coalition forces did not attack a civilian fishing boat in the Red Sea on either of the dates.

The investigation was one of six discussed by Al-Mansour. He said that in three cases, it was found that coalition forces had acted correctly in pursuing legitimate military objectives. In the remaining three, investigators concluded that coalition forces did not carry out any attacks or operations.

Al-Mansour said that JIAT has examined 182 incidents since the launch of Operation Decisive Storm. The team's role is to establish whether the incidents happened, whether coalition forces were involved, and whether their actions were correct and complied with international humanitarian law and the rules of engagement, he added. If mistakes or inappropriate action are discovered, he continued, the responsible individuals are held accountable and the findings revealed with full transparency.
 


Thousands benefit from KSrelief food baskets

Updated 16 sec ago
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Thousands benefit from KSrelief food baskets

  • The aid is a part of Saudi Arabia’s Etaam Ramadan food distribution project

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief recently distributed more than 1,900 food baskets to some of the world’s most vulnerable people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

In Mauritania’s Tiaret district of Nouakchott, 3,390 people benefitted from 565 food baskets.

Also, 751 baskets were handed out in the Karaan district of Somalia’s Banadir governorate, benefiting 4,506 people.

In addition, 590 baskets were distributed in the Romania cities of Bucharest and Constanta, benefiting 2,950 people.

The aid is a part of Saudi Arabia’s Etaam Ramadan food distribution project.


Saudi Arabia condemns Israel’s Gaza electricity cut 

Updated 11 March 2025
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Saudi Arabia condemns Israel’s Gaza electricity cut 

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has condemned Israel’s move to cut electricity to the Gaza Strip in what the Kingdom described as a practice of “collective punishment” against Palestinians in Gaza.

The Kingdom stressed its categorical rejection of Israeli violations of international humanitarian law, a foreign ministry statement said.

It reiterated its call on the international community to take urgent measures to restore electricity and the flow of aid to the Gaza Strip immediately without conditions or restrictions.

The Kingdom “renewed its call to activate international accountability mechanisms for these serious violations,” the statement concluded.

Israel cut off the electricity supply to Gaza, officials said Sunday, affecting a desalination plant producing drinking water for part of the arid territory.

It also suspended last week supplies of goods to the territory of more than 2 million Palestinians, an echo of the siege it imposed in the earliest days of the war.


Saudi Arabia welcomes Syrian agreement in northeast

Updated 11 March 2025
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Saudi Arabia welcomes Syrian agreement in northeast

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia welcomed an agreement between the interim Syrian government and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces that controls the country’s northeast.

The Kingdom praised the measures taken by the Syrian leadership to safeguard domestic peace in Syria and efforts made to complete the path of building state institutions, a Saudi foreign ministry statement said on Monday.

The deal includes a ceasefire and the merging of the main US-backed force there into the Syrian army.

The deal was signed by interim President Ahmad Al-Sharaa and Mazloum Abdi, the commander of the US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

The deal to be implemented by the end of the year would bring all border crossings with Iraq and Turkiye, airports and oil fields in the northeast under the central government’s control. Prisons where about 9,000 suspected members of the Daesh group are also expected to come under government control.

— With input from AP


Saudi crown prince, US Secretary of State discuss regional developments

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman receives US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Jeddah on Monday. (SPA)
Updated 11 March 2025
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Saudi crown prince, US Secretary of State discuss regional developments

  • Rubio in Kingdom ahead of crucial talks with Ukraine aimed at ending conflict with Russia

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman received US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday evening. 

Rubio arrived in Saudi Arabia earlier on Monday ahead of crucial talks with Ukraine aimed at ending three years of conflict with Russia.

They reviewed relations between the two countries and opportunities to enhance and develop them in various fields, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

They also discussed the latest regional and international developments, exchanged views on them, as well as efforts made toward achieving security and stability, SPA added.

The reception was attended by Mike Waltz, US President Donald Trump’s national security advisor.

On the Saudi side, Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Defense and Saudi ambassador to Washington, Princess Reema bint Bandar, were also in attendance.

The top US diplomat is in Jeddah ahead of the talks with Ukrainian officials expected on Tuesday, leading a delegation that also includes Waltz.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also arrived in the Kingdom on Monday.


Pakistani community hosts large iftar gathering in Jeddah

Updated 52 min 36 sec ago
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Pakistani community hosts large iftar gathering in Jeddah

  • The iftar table featured a variety of traditional Pakistani dishes, including pakoras, samosas, haleem, and dahi bhalla, alongside Rooh Afza, a drink often enjoyed during Ramadan

JEDDAH: The Pakistani community in Jeddah organized its annual iftar gathering this week, bringing together a large number of residents along with representatives from the Pakistani Consulate.

The initiative strengthens community ties, upholds the shared values of Ramadan, and enhances the spiritual essence of the holy month, Saudi Press Agency reported, with heartwarming scenes of unity, brotherhood, and camaraderie among attendees.

The iftar table featured a variety of traditional Pakistani dishes, including pakoras, samosas, haleem, and dahi bhalla, alongside Rooh Afza, a drink often enjoyed during Ramadan. Traditional sweets, symbolizing Pakistani hospitality, were also part of the feast.

Guests embraced their cultural heritage by wearing traditional Pakistani attire. (SPA)

Guests embraced their cultural heritage by wearing traditional Pakistani attire. Men donned the shalwar kameez, a customary outfit for religious and social occasions, while women wore vibrant, intricately embroidered garments, adding a cultural charm that reflected their pride in their traditions.

Muhammad Irfan, press counselor at the Pakistani Consulate, highlighted the significance of such gatherings in fostering unity and strengthening the bond among community members.

He expressed his joy at witnessing the spirit of brotherhood and solidarity that Ramadan promotes.

Rubina Irfan

“As you see, Pakistan has a huge community in Jeddah and the western region,” he told SPA. “Saudi Arabia is a second home for all of us.”

He emphasized how celebrating Ramadan in Saudi Arabia brings an added spiritual experience: “It just feels like home. So we don't feel much of a difference, rather it brings a more elevated spiritual experience, especially being close to the Haram.”

His wife, Rubina Irfan, also spoke about the communal aspect of Ramadan in the Kingdom.

We prepare for Ramadan here the same way we do in Pakistan. As a community, Ramadan is really enjoyable in Saudi Arabia.

Rubina Irfan

“We prepare for Ramadan here the same way we do in Pakistan. As a community, Ramadan is really enjoyable in Saudi Arabia. Here, we go for Taraweeh together, share food, and see each other,” she said.

She also stressed the importance of traditional Pakistani dishes during Iftar. “We cannot do Iftar without pakoras, samosas, rolls, and dahi bhalay. These are the traditional Pakistani foods,” Rubina explained.

“In water, we mix fruit syrup and sugar — it’s called Rooh Afza water, and everybody loves it because it gives you energy.”

Tahir Ayoub, the coordinator of the Pakistani community gatherings, described the distinct experience of observing Ramadan in Saudi Arabia: “Ramadan in Saudi Arabia is an entirely different experience. Specifically, the last ten days, with Qiyamul-Layl (late night prayers) and other spiritual gatherings, are truly marvelous.”

He concluded by expressing how remarkable Ramadan in Saudi Arabia feels compared to other places: “It’s an incredible experience, and whenever I return to Pakistan, I always say that nowhere in the world is Ramadan like it is in Saudi Arabia.”