Saudi Arabia intercepts seven drones, missile launched by Houthis

Smoke and flames rise in Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coastal city of Jeddah, on March 25, 2022, following a reported Yemeni rebels attack on a Saudi Aramco oil facility, on March 25, 2022. (REUTERS)
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Updated 25 March 2022
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Saudi Arabia intercepts seven drones, missile launched by Houthis

  • A fire erupted at an oil depot in Saudi Arabia's Jeddah city on Friday
  • The attacks appeared to be centered on depot Houthis recently targeted

JEDDAH: A raging fire erupted Friday at an oil depot in Jeddah, according to witnesses and video footage, with Yemen's Houthis acknowledging they had launched a series of attacks on the Kingdom.

The Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen said a Houthi attack targeted an oil distribution station in Jeddah, adding that a fire in two tanks at the oil facility were brought under control, without injuries or casualties reported.

The Coalition also said daily life in Jeddah had not been affected by the attacks, saying the militia's targeting of oil facilities aims to influence global economy and energy security.

Those at the F1 track could see the large black smoke cloud in the distance.

Elsewhere, Saudi Arabia’s air defense forces destroyed seven drones and a missile launched by the Houthi militia targeting the southern part of the Kingdom, the Coalition said on Friday. 

The hostile attempts by the Houthi militia deliberately target civilian areas, energy installations, the Coalition said. 

The continued attacks by the Houthis threaten both regional and international security, the Coalition added. 

“We support the Gulf and international community in achieving successful negotiations with Yemen,” the Coalition said.

* With AP


European pilgrims visit Prophet’s biography museum, Islamic heritage sites in Madinah

Updated 23 December 2024
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European pilgrims visit Prophet’s biography museum, Islamic heritage sites in Madinah

  • At the museum the visitors saw interactive displays and multimedia presentations about the Prophet Muhammad and other holy figures, historical events and Islamic culture

RIYADH: A group of 250 people from 14 European countries recently visited the International Fair and Museum of the Prophet’s Biography and Islamic Civilization in Madinah.

Guests of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ Program for Umrah and Visit, the visitors were part of a wider scheme that will see 1,000 people from 66 countries perform Umrah in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

At the museum the visitors saw interactive displays and multimedia presentations about the Prophet Muhammad and other holy figures, historical events, Islamic culture and initiatives to safeguard Islamic history and civilization.

The fair seeks to present Islamic culture in an engaging way for different audiences and the visitors expressed their thanks to the Kingdom’s leadership for facilitating their visits to Madinah and Makkah.

They also commended the Kingdom’s efforts to promote Islam’s message of tolerance and to foster appreciation for its historical and spiritual legacy.

As well as the museum, the group visited the Battle of Uhud site, Mount Al-Ramah, the Uhud Martyrs’ Cemetery and offered prayers at Quba Mosque.

At King Fahd Glorious Qur’an Printing Complex, the pilgrims learned about the various stages of printing the Holy Qur’an, preservation efforts and its translation into many languages.

At the end of their visit the pilgrims were presented with copies of the Qur’an by representatives of the complex.


Saudi aid efforts continue in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon

Updated 23 December 2024
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Saudi aid efforts continue in Syria, Yemen, Lebanon

RIYADH: Saudi aid agency KSrelief’s humanitarian initiatives are benefiting thousands across Syria, Yemen and Lebanon.

In northern Syria, KSrelief delivered food baskets and hygiene kits to 551 earthquake-affected families in Aleppo, benefiting 3,306 individuals in one day.

In Yemen, 641 food baskets were distributed to vulnerable families in Aden and Lahij, assisting 4,487 individuals in one day.

KSrelief also concluded a week-long urology surgery project in Aden, involving nine specialists who examined 53 cases and performed 109 surgeries.

In Taiz, KSrelief’s rehabilitation center provided 1,537 services to 416 beneficiaries in one month, including prosthetic limb fittings, maintenance, physical therapy, and consultations.

In Lebanon, the KSrelief-funded Subul Al-Salam ambulance service conducted 51 missions in Miniyeh in one week, offering emergency aid to Syrian and Palestinian refugees and host communities.

Additionally, KSrelief distributed 175,000 bread bags to 12,500 families in one week through the Al-Amal Charity Bakery project in Akkar and Miniyeh.


New boot camps focus on data center training

Updated 23 December 2024
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New boot camps focus on data center training

  • The program aims to produce skilled national talent for managing advanced data centers

Riyadh: Tuwaiq Academy has partnered with the Uptime Institute to offer six-month professional boot camps at its headquarters in Riyadh.

The program aims to produce skilled national talent for managing advanced data centers across various sectors, according to the Saudi Press Agency report.

The initiative addresses labor market needs in data-related fields, including data center management, analysis, and project design, by offering intensive boot camps with globally recognized certifications.

Training follows a hands-on, application-based approach in specialized data center management labs, equipping participants with essential skills to develop innovative solutions for diverse sectors.

Registration is open at tuwaiq.edu.sa.

Founded in 2019, Tuwaiq Academy trains over 1,000 in-person participants daily and provides professional certifications in collaboration with global leaders like Apple, Meta, Amazon, Alibaba, Dell, IBM, and Microsoft.

As the training arm of the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, the academy has trained over 32,000 people, with 80 percent of graduates securing placements through its Tuwaiq Job Fair, in collaboration with government and private sectors.


Saudi royal reserve launches 45-day Naylat Camp in Hail

Updated 23 December 2024
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Saudi royal reserve launches 45-day Naylat Camp in Hail

RIYADH: The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority has launched Naylat Camp, a 45-day event in the Hail region, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

Located in the breathtaking Naylat area, renowned for its soaring mountains, golden sands, clear skies and tranquility, the camp offers a mix of adventure and relaxation.

Visitors can enjoy camel and horse riding, challenging hiking trails, stargazing, and exploring archaeological and historical sites within the reserve.

The camp features facilities designed to enhance the visitor experience while promoting sustainable ecotourism, according to SPA.

The initiative aims to promote sustainable tourism by showcasing the region’s natural beauty, raising environmental awareness about preserving biodiversity, and supporting the local community through seasonal job opportunities and regional development.

The King Salman reserve covers an area of 130,700 sq. km, spanning four administrative regions: Al-Jawf, Hail, Northern Borders and Tabuk. It features diverse natural habitats, terrains and distinctive geographic formations.


Saudi Arabia embassy resumes diplomatic activities in Afghanistan

Updated 23 December 2024
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Saudi Arabia embassy resumes diplomatic activities in Afghanistan

  • Afghan foreign ministry welcomes Kingdom’s decision to resume diplomatic operations in Kabul
  • Saudi Arabia to 'provide all services to the brotherly Afghan people'

RIYADH: The Saudi embassy in the Afghan capital, Kabul, resumed its diplomatic activities on Sunday.

The Afghan foreign ministry on Monday welcomed Saudi Arabia’s decision to resume its diplomatic operations in Kabul, more than three years after Riyadh withdrew its staff during the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.

“We are optimistic about the possibility of strengthening relations and cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan through the resumption of these activities,” said Afghan foreign ministry spokesman Zia Ahmad in a statement.

“We will also be able to respond to the problems of Afghans residing in Saudi Arabia.”

Riyadh had posted its decision to resume diplomatic operations in Kabul on social media platform X on Sunday.

“Based on the desire of the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to provide all services to the brotherly Afghan people, it has been decided to resume the activities of the mission of the Kingdom in Kabul starting on December 22,” it said.

Ties between Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan date back to 1932 when the Kingdom became the first Islamic country to provide aid to the Afghan people during their ordeals.

In recent years, Saudi Arabia launched numerous projects in Afghanistan through its humanitarian arm King Salman Relief Center, focusing on aid relief, health, education services, water and food security.

Riyadh also participated in all international donor conferences and called for establishing security and stability in Afghanistan following years of armed conflicts.

Saudi Arabia withdrew its diplomats from Kabul in August 2021 when the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan following the US withdrawal from the country.

However, it said it was resuming consular services in the country in November 2021 and continues to provide aid through KSrelief.