RIYADH: The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition concluded a specialized training program on combating terrorist financing in Bamako, Mali, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Sunday.

Conducted in cooperation with Mali’s Ministry of Defense and Veterans Affairs, the program aimed to strengthen national capacities to counter terrorist financing and money laundering.

The initiative is part of a broader series of strategic activities by the coalition to support its member states, the SPA added.

The launch event was attended by Lt. Gen. Sadio Camara, Mali’s minister of defense and veterans affairs; Maj. Gen. Mohammed Al-Moghed, secretary-general of the coalition; senior diplomatic and military officials; and representatives from national and international organizations.

The program featured a scientific lecture, “Financial Investigations into Terrorism Financing and Money Laundering Crimes,” attended by more than 200 participants, including security, oversight, and judicial personnel.

The session covered methodologies for financial tracking, analysis of illicit networks, and shared relevant international experiences.

Additionally, a closed workshop, “Methods of Countering the Financing of Terrorist Organizations in the Sahel Region,” brought together specialists from key national and regional entities.

Discussions focused on shared challenges, successful models, ongoing initiatives, and mechanisms for enhanced cooperation.

The event concluded with a reaffirmation of the importance of sustained collaboration between the coalition and its member states.

Participants emphasized the need to expand training and capacity-building efforts to enhance institutional readiness and strengthen collective responses to security threats across the Sahel region.

RIYADH: The Saudi Food and Drug Authority is continuing its proactive inspection campaigns as part of preparations for the Hajj season.

The authority has conducted more than 1,329 field visits to food, medicine and medical device warehouses in Makkah and Madinah so far.

These ongoing inspections and awareness efforts have led to a notable increase in compliance among facilities storing food and medicine for pilgrims, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

During the visits, inspection teams identified several warehouses that breached approved technical requirements and took the necessary legal actions.

As a result, 44 warehouses were closed, and 349 violations were recorded, according to the SPA.

To raise awareness, the authority launched a multilingual campaign that includes brochures outlining key product-handling requirements. It aims to improve safety and compliance at all facilities serving pilgrims.

The authority intensifies efforts each Hajj season to ensure food, medicine, and medical products meet safety standards, helping minimize health risks and protect pilgrims’ well-being.