Saudi project clears 2,010 Houthi mines in Yemen

Project Masam is one of several initiatives undertaken by Saudi Arabia at the request of King Salman. (Supplied)
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Updated 19 May 2024
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Saudi project clears 2,010 Houthi mines in Yemen

  • A total of 442,077 mines have been cleared since the start of the initiative in 2018

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Project Masam cleared 2,010 mines in Yemen — which had been planted by the Houthi militia — between May 11 to 17, according to a recent report.

Overseen by the Kingdom’s aid agency KSrelief, the project’s specialist teams destroyed 1,980 pieces of unexploded ordnance, 19 anti-tank mines and 11 anti-personnel mines.

The explosives, which were planted indiscriminately by the Houthis across Yemen, posed a threat to civilians, including children, women and the elderly.

Project Masam is one of several initiatives undertaken by Saudi Arabia at the request of King Salman, which has cleared routes for humanitarian aid to reach the country’s citizens.

The demining operations took place in Marib, Aden, Jouf, Shabwa, Taiz, Hodeidah, Lahij, Sanaa, Al-Bayda, Al-Dhale and Saada.

A total of 442,077 mines have been cleared since the start of the initiative in 2018, according to Ousama Al-Gosaibi, the project’s managing director.

The initiative trains local demining engineers and provides them with modern equipment. It also offers support to Yemenis injured by the devices.

About 5 million people have been forced to flee their homes since the beginning of the conflict in Yemen, many of them displaced by the presence of land mines, according to the Project Masam website.

Masam teams are tasked with clearing villages, roads and schools to facilitate the safe movement of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.


KSA, Amazon launch cloud skills accelerator

Updated 9 sec ago
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KSA, Amazon launch cloud skills accelerator

  • Participants will work on real-world cloud computing projects, to gain practical experience and earn accredited certifications

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, in partnership with Amazon Web Services, has launched the AWS Builder Accelerator program to develop national expertise in cloud computing and equip participants with advanced AWS skills. 

The initiative offers an intensive four-week training program at the AWS’ headquarters in Virginia, US, combining theoretical learning with hands-on projects under the guidance of AWS experts, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. 

Participants will work on real-world cloud computing projects, to gain practical experience and earn accredited certifications.

These skills will help meet market demands and enhance the readiness of national talent to adapt to technological advancements, the SPA reported.

The program targets graduates in technical fields, particularly those in computer science and IT, with two to three years of experience, to boost their competitiveness in the cloud computing sector. 

Set to begin on June 16, the program requires applicants to be Saudi Arabia citizens employed in the private sector. A letter of employer approval is needed upon final acceptance, according to the ministry’s website. 

For registration or more details, visit futureskills.mcit.gov.sa/ar/form/aws.


KSrelief food parcels aid vulnerable communities

Updated 13 min 28 sec ago
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KSrelief food parcels aid vulnerable communities

Riyadh: Saudi aid agency KSrelief has delivered thousands of food parcels to some of the world’s most vulnerable people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

In South Africa, 400 packages were given to families in need as part of the Etaam Ramadan food distribution project.

In Somalia, 1,390 parcels were handed out across multiple governorates, while in Nigeria, 613 parcels were provided in Adamawa state, benefiting 3,678 people.

In Djibouti, 700 parcels helped 4,200 people in Balbala, while 250 were given out in Bangladesh’s Bagerhat district.

In northern Montenegro, 300 packages were given to help 1,500 vulnerable people that included widows and orphans.

In Romania, 530 parcels were distributed in Bucharest and Constanta, with 379 baskets given to Syrian refugees in the Miniyeh district of Lebanon.

Now in its fourth phase, the Etaam project aims to distribute 390,109 food parcels across 27 countries during Ramadan, benefiting 2.3 million people at a cost of over SR67 million ($17.8 million).


Program assists female visitors at Grand Mosque

Updated 55 min 18 sec ago
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Program assists female visitors at Grand Mosque

MAKKAH: The Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque, through the Women’s Affairs Agency, has launched a program to answer visitors’ questions about rituals during Ramadan, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

The “Answering and Guiding Female Inquirers” program at the Grand Mosque in Makkah was introduced to accommodate the expected rise in attendance during the last 10 days of the holy month.

Sheikh Abdulrahman Al-Sudais, head of the presidency, emphasized the agency’s commitment to the initiative, highlighting its role in providing guidance to female visitors.

The program aims to enrich their experience by promoting authentic Islamic knowledge, offering reliable religious guidance and fostering greater awareness in a supportive environment, the SPA reported.

To facilitate inquiries, two dedicated locations have been designated: Women’s Prayer Area 74 on the ground floor and Women’s Prayer Area 84 on the first floor.


King Salman reserve records Nubian ibex birth

Updated 58 min 43 sec ago
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King Salman reserve records Nubian ibex birth

  • The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve is the largest terrestrial nature reserve in the Middle East

RIYADH: The field team at the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve recorded the birth of a Nubian ibex in March, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.

The reserve’s development authority said that over time, more than 81 mountain ibexes have been reintroduced across various areas of the reserve.

This effort aligns with its commitment to protecting wildlife, including endangered species, and providing a thriving environment for their growth and reproduction, the SPA reported.

The authority added that the reproduction of animals within the reserve reflects the quality and suitability of its natural habitats for wildlife.

The reserve has recorded over 120 mammal births, including the Arabian oryx, sand gazelle, Nubian ibex, and Arabian gazelle, across its designated areas.

As the largest terrestrial nature reserve in the Middle East, the reserve spans 130,700 sq. km across four administrative regions: Jouf, Hail, Northern Borders, and Tabuk. The reserve features diverse habitats, terrains, and unique geographic formations.


Ramadan iftar in Al-Baha’s heritage homes: A tapestry of tradition and taste

Updated 17 March 2025
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Ramadan iftar in Al-Baha’s heritage homes: A tapestry of tradition and taste

  • These heritage houses, architectural emblems of Al-Baha’s rich cultural identity, are silent witnesses to the region’s history

RIYADH: In Al-Aqiq Governorate, Al-Baha, Ramadan is celebrated with warmth and community spirit. Families gather in beautiful heritage homes for iftar, transforming the breaking of the fast into an experience that weaves together living traditions and authentic regional flavors. This practice imbues Ramadan with a unique character.

These heritage houses, architectural emblems of Al-Baha’s rich cultural identity, are silent witnesses to the region’s history, the Saudi Press Agency reported. At these houses, families and friends convene around iftar tables, enveloped by an atmosphere of ancestral stories, fostering a sense of belonging and connection to the past. More than just a meal, iftar becomes an opportunity to strengthen family and social bonds.

Residents chat and share stories, reminiscing about Ramadans past and reinforcing community solidarity and the bonds of affection that unite them.

Awadah Al-Ghamdi told the SPA that this is the third consecutive year his family are breaking their fast at their traditional home, built in 1386 AH. He fondly recalled the Ramadans of his youth, when a fire was lit in the courtyard before the Maghrib call to prayer to prepare traditional fare: fresh bread, aromatic coffee, and marisa, a refreshing blend of water and dates, often infused with lemon or ginger. He emphasized that iftar is a communal affair, with neighbors joining together to share the meal and pray.

The experience of breaking the fast in Al-Baha’s traditional homes is a powerful symbol of the enduring customs that bridge generations. With each iftar, residents revive these cherished practices, ensuring they resonate with future generations and preserve the authentic spirit of Al-Baha throughout every Ramadan.