UK, France, Germany denounce Houthi attack on Saudi's Abha airport as EU condemns violence in Yemen

This handout image on Feb. 10, 2021 reportedly shows the wreckage of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV or drone) that was used in an attack on Abha International Airport in Saudi Arabia’s southern Asir province. (AFP/Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Media)
Short Url
Updated 12 February 2021
Follow

UK, France, Germany denounce Houthi attack on Saudi's Abha airport as EU condemns violence in Yemen

  • Britain ‘steadfast in its unwavering support for the security of Saudi territory’
  • MEPs urge to urgently scale up humanitarian aid for Yemen

LONDON: Britain, France and Germany on Thursday condemned a spate of attacks on Saudi Arabia claimed by Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, saying they were a “violation of international law.”
In a joint statement, the E3 foreign ministries said that “continued attacks of this nature, including those which target civilian areas... illustrate the seriousness of the threat that the proliferation of drones poses to the stability of the region.”
Earlier on Thursday, the UK separately condemned the attack on Abha International airport.
The Houthi militia attacked the airport in the south of the Kingdom on Wednesday, leaving a commercial plane on the tarmac engulfed in flames.
“The Houthis must end these outrageous attacks,” foreign minister Dominic Raab said in a tweet.

Several other countries and organizations have released statements condemning and denouncing the recent attack.
The European Union also condemned the attack on Thursday and called for a halt.
The attack “is the latest in a series of attacks that endanger civilians, increase regional instability and delay prospects for resolving the Yemeni conflict,” said Peter Stano, spokesperson for the European External Action Service in Brussels.
Last week the Houthi militia also sparked international condemnation after launching a series of drones toward Saudi Arabia, which were intercepted by Arab coalition forces.
Raab said that “the UK is steadfast in its unwavering support for the security of Saudi territory.”
The new Biden administration has also renewed its commitment to protecting the Kingdom’s territory and its people.         
The attack came only days after the US moved to delist the insurgents as “terrorists.”

Meanwhile, on Thursday, the European Parliament also condemned the ongoing violence in Yemen that had “degenerated into the worst humanitarian crisis in the world,” it said.
“There can be no military solution to the conflict and the crisis can only be resolved sustainably through an inclusive Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned negotiation process,” said MEPs in a resolution adopted on Thursday by 638 votes for, 12 against and 44 abstentions.
MEPs said nearly 80 percent of Yemenis — more than 24 million people — are in need of humanitarian assistance, while 50,000 people are living in famine-like conditions, calling on “all parties to facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief and other necessary goods to the population.”
They said this figure is expected to triple by the middle of the year.
“All parties must urgently refrain from starving civilians as a method of warfare, MEPs stress, whilst pushing for targeted measures to be imposed against those taking part in acts that violate international humanitarian law,” the statement added.
They also urged the European Commission and EU member states to lead international efforts to urgently scale up humanitarian aid, after the bloc pledged to triple aid this year.
The E3, in their statement, also said: “We reiterate our firm commitment to the security and integrity of Saudi territory, and reaffirm our commitment (and) strong support for a swift resolution of the Yemeni conflict which will bring much needed stability to the region,” the E3 statement added.
(With AFP and Reuters)

Soleimani’s shadow
Qassem Soleimani left a trail of death and destruction in his wake as head of Iran’s Quds Force … until his assassination on Jan. 3, 2020. Yet still, his legacy of murderous interference continues to haunt the region

Enter


keywords

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman receives written message from Senegal president

Message was received by the Kingdom’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan during a meeting with Gen. Birame Diop.
Updated 5 sec ago
Follow

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman receives written message from Senegal president

  • The message related to Saudi-Senegalese relations, and was received by the Kingdom’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman received a written message from the President of Senegal Bassirou Diomaye Faye, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

The message related to Saudi-Senegalese relations, and was received by the Kingdom’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan during a meeting with Senegal’s Minister of Armed Forces Gen. Birame Diop in Riyadh.

During the meeting, Prince Faisal and Diop discussed topics of common interest and ways to enhance relations between their countries.


Eastern Region’s green initiative shows remarkable progress

Updated 09 January 2025
Follow

Eastern Region’s green initiative shows remarkable progress

  • Initiative has focused on introducing climate-appropriate trees and flowers
  • Eastern Province Municipality emphasized the project’s collaborative nature

DAMMAM: Significant strides were made by the Eastern Province Municipality last year in its efforts towards vegetation expansion and anti-desertification.

The initiative, designed to counter industrial pollution, improve air quality and move towards environmental sustainability, has focused on introducing climate-appropriate trees and flowers while adhering to scientific afforestation guidelines and controls.

Throughout the year, the municipality launched 87 initiatives involving more than 1,200 volunteers across 60 parks. This included the Dammam Corniche waterfront and its walking trails where some 680,000 trees and shrubs were planted, complemented by 7.7 million flowers, expanding green coverage by 205,000 sq. meters.

Work was also carried out to rehabilitate streets and other spaces, while technical upgrades included maintenance work on 200 pumps and the installation of irrigation networks covering 30 km of streets.

There was also progress for the park investment program, with four parks already under investment management and 400 more designated for future opportunities.

The municipality emphasized the project’s collaborative nature, highlighting the active participation of community members, government bodies and the private sector companies. Its inclusive approach aims to cultivate a lasting environmental consciousness and ensure sustainability practices are passed down to future generations.


Riyadh to host second edition of Model of Care Forum

Updated 09 January 2025
Follow

Riyadh to host second edition of Model of Care Forum

  • Forum aims to introduce the Saudi healthcare model locally and internationally, highlight success stories, and outline future goals and ambitions
  • Forum represents the second phase in a four-part strategic process in the healthcare sector’s transformation

RIYADH: Riyadh will host the second edition of the Model of Care Forum under the patronage of Minister of Health Fahad Al-Jalajel.

Organised by the Health Holding Co. on Jan. 28-29, the forum will be held at Malfa Hall in Prince Mohammed bin Salman Nonprofit City.

The forum aims to introduce the Saudi healthcare model locally and internationally, highlight success stories, and outline future goals and ambitions in line with the Saudi Vision 2030.

It also promotes partnership in healthcare among individuals and their families by taking necessary measures to maintain their health, ensuring the provision of healthcare that meets societal needs according to the highest quality standards.

The forum represents the second phase in a four-part strategic process in the healthcare sector’s transformation, aimed at developing the healthcare model in the Kingdom.

The Health Holding Co. is playing a key role in enabling healthcare delivery through 20 health clusters across Saudi Arabia.


Directorate imposes new exit visa requirement

Updated 09 January 2025
Follow

Directorate imposes new exit visa requirement

  • Directorate addressed employers, stating that if a resident identity is valid for fewer than 30 days, the final exit visa may not be issued
  • Resident identity must be renewed for the issuance of the final exit visa

RIYADH: The Saudi General Directorate of Passports has said that resident identities must be valid for at least 30 days when applying for a final exit visa.

The directorate addressed employers, stating that if a resident identity is valid for fewer than 30 days, the final exit visa may not be issued. In that case, the resident identity must be renewed for the issuance of the final exit visa.

It noted that if a resident identity is valid for more than 30 days and fewer than 60 days, a final exit visa may be issued for the resident identity’s remaining period.

If the resident identity is valid for 60 days or more, the final exit visa may be issued for 60 days only.

The directorate noted that employers may issue final exit visas for their sponsored workers or affiliated family members through the Ministry of Interior’s Absher Business platform, and the Muqeem portal.


Saudi king and crown prince congratulate Joseph Aoun on being elected president of Lebanon

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. (File/SPA)
Updated 09 January 2025
Follow

Saudi king and crown prince congratulate Joseph Aoun on being elected president of Lebanon

  • In a congratulatory cable, King Salman wished Aoun success and the Lebanese people further progress and prosperity

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman congratulated Joseph Aoun on being elected president of Lebanon on Thursday.

In a congratulatory cable, King Salman wished Aoun success and the Lebanese people further progress and prosperity.The crown prince sent a similar cable.

Lebanon’s parliament voted Thursday to elect the country’s army commander, Joseph Aoun, as head of state, filling a more than two-year-long presidential vacuum.

Thursday’s session was the 13th attempt to elect a successor to Michel Aoun, whose term ended in October 2022.