March 2017
The joint Saudi-Ukrainian military transport aircraft Antonov AN-132 today made a successful maiden flight over the Ukraine. The plane was piloted by retired Saudi Air Force Major General Mohammed Ayash and a crew of Ukrainian pilots and technicians.
The Antonov AN-132 is a joint venture between the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and Ukraine's Antonov State Company. The joint venture is part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 to localize 50 percent of military spending.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned today’s terrorist attack in Parachinar, Pakistan, which killed and injured scores of innocent people. The Foreign Ministry reiterated the Kingdom stance with Pakistan and offered its condolences to families of the victims, Pakistani government and people.
This issue highlights the Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s first visit to the United States under the Trump administration, an exclusive interview by Foreign Minister Al-Jubeir, Saudi Arabia’s participation in the recent Counter Daesh Coalition meeting in Washington, D.C. and more.
On behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Foreign Affairs Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir announced at the conclusion of 28th Arab Summit in Jordan today that the Kingdom will host the next summit in Riyadh.
King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Center (KSRelief) has launched an anti-dengue fever campaign in six governorates in Yemen. KSRelief is working with the Yemen-based Al-Awn Foundation for Development to provide intravenous fluids and supportive treatment to functioning health facilities in affected areas, and to conduct spraying activities in Hodaidah, Aden, Hadramout, Taiz, Lahj, and Shabwah governorates.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs today denied a statement posted on the Iraqi Foreign Ministry’s website alleging that Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir expressed the Kingdom’s intention to cancel Iraq's debts.
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministerial Council welcomed the outcomes of the 28th Arab Summit held Jordan on 29 March 2017 and its constructive resolutions that serve the Arab issues and contribute to the achievement of the objectives and aspirations of the Arab States.
The Ministerial Council reiterated its concern over the continued abduction of a number of Qatari citizens in Iraq, calling upon the Iraqi government to assume its responsibility to ensure the safety of the kidnapped citizens and release them.
Combating Terrorism:
On the sidelines of the 28th Arab League summit on the banks of the Dead Sea in Jordan, the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz met separately with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, President Mohamed Beji Caid Essebsi of Tunisia, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt, Prime Minister Dr. Haider Al-Abadi of Iraq, and Fayez Mustafa al-Sarraj, the Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya. During the meetings, they reviewed bilateral relations and the agenda of the summit.
The Command of the Coalition Forces Supporting the Legitimate Government of Yemen announced this morning that 6:30 a.m., the Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces intercepted four ballistic missile launched by Iranian-backed Houthi militias toward Khamis Mushayt and Abha. All missiles were successfully destroyed without causing any casualties or material damage The coalition air forces launched a strike on the missile's launch sites.
The Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz has issued a royal decree establishing a new tax system for oil and natural gas producers in the Kingdom.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz arrived in Amman, Jordan for an official visit to Jordan and attend the 28th Arab League summit. King Salman was received by King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussain of Jordan.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz has sent a cable of condolences to British Prime Minister Theresa May following the terror attack in London.
Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir met this afternoon with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson at the State Department. During their talks, they discussed bilateral relations following the the recently visit by Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Washington.
Crown Prince Mohammad bin Naif, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior met at the Interior Ministry today with Adm. Michael S. Rogers, director of the US National Security Agency. During the meeting, they discussed a number of security issues of mutual interest, including enhancing joint cooperation to combat extremism and terrorism.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Saud called British Prime Minister Theresa May today to offer his condolences to the victims of the London terror attack.
Saudi Arabia today condemed terror attack in London. In a statement, the Foreign Ministry has expressed the Kingdom's solidarity and support for the United Kingdom's war on terrorism and extremism, and offered its condolences to the families of the victims, the government and people of the United Kingdom.
Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir and Ambassador Abdullah Al-Saud participated in a meeting of the Paris Group on Syria at the French Embassy in Washington on Tuesday to discussed developments in the Syrian arena.
The Command of the Coalition Forces Supporting the Legitimate Government of Yemen announced that Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces intercepted a number of ballistic missile launched by Iranian-backed Houthi militias and forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh towards Saudi Arabia and liberated Yemeni cities since 2015.
Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir meets separetly today with the British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson, Iraqi Foreign Minister Dr. Ibrahim Al-Jaafari, and Italian Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano on the sidelines of the Ministerial Plenary for the Global Coalition Working to Defeat ISIS. During the meetings, they discussed bilateral relations and regional and international issues.
Minister Al-Jubeir also met with Interpol Secretary General Jürgen Stock to discuss international efforts to combat terrorism.
Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir met today in Washington with Iraqi Prime Minister Dr. Haider Al-Abadi on the sidelines of the Ministerial Plenary for the Global Coalition Working to Defeat ISIS. During the meeting, they discussed the topics on the agenda of the conference, bilateral relations and means of enhancing them in all fields in addition to regional and international developments.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz chaired the Cabinet's weekly session at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh this afternoon. At the outset of the session, the King briefed the Cabinet on his Asia tour and referred to his meetings as positive and productive. King Salman also briefed the Cabinet on the telephone calls with King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain and French President Francois Hollande.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz arrived in Riyadh tonight, following trips to Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, Japan and China.
(WASHINGTON, DC) – The security of the United States, Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, and cooperation against terrorism, were discussed in depth during the Washington visit of Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense.
Prince Mohammed returned to Saudi Arabia today.
“I would like to commend again the historical and strategic relations between our two countries witnessing further development in all fields,” stated Prince Mohammed in a cable to President Donald Trump upon his departure.
Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, concluded his visit to Washington, DC. Prince Mohammed met with President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence on Tuesday at the White House. During the meeting, they reaffirmed the importance of the Saudi-U.S. strategic partnership. The leaders stressed their determination to strengthen their cooperation in the economic, commercial, investment, and energy fields.
The Saudi-led Arab Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen has intercepted three small Houthi boats off Port Midi in Yemen yesterday. The Coalition announced that the Houthis were planning to use the boats to attack coalition ships patrolling the off the coast of Yemen.
The coalition navy destroyed one of the boats and captured another, and arrested its crew. A third boat managed to escape to the high seas. In January, armed Houthi movement attacked a Saudi warship off the western coast of Yemen, causing an explosion that killed two crew members and injured three others.
The Command of the Coalition Forces Supporting the Legitimate Government of Yemen announced that Royal Saudi Air Defense Forces intercepted this afternoon a ballistic missile launched by Iranian-backed Houthi militias toward Jizan. Saudi air defense was able to intercept the missile and destroy without causing any damage on the ground. The coalition air forces launched a strike on the missile's launch site.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and President Xi Jinping of the People's Republic of China held talks at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing today. During their meeting, they reviewed the bilateral relationships and prospects of joint cooperation in various fields, and the latest developments at the international arena.
The Ministry of Interior announced today that a police officer was shot and killed in Al-Qatif yesterday as police officers approached suspects in a stolen car with license plates belonging to a wanted terror suspect. The police successfully managed to impair the car, but the suspects opened fire at the policemen and fled in a vehicle they carjacked from a hospital parking. A manhunt was underway for the gunmen.
On March 8, an off-duty police officer was shot dead in his vehicle in Qatif.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud arrived in the People’s Republic of China today on an official visit. The King was received at Beijing International Airport by State Councilor Yang Jiechi.
In implementation of the order of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz to assist the Iraqi people, and in response to an appeal by the World Health Organization to help combat an outbreak of cholera in Iraq, a King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Center (KSrelief) aircraft laden with more than 10 tons of medical supplies arrived at Baghdad International Airport yesterday evening.
The Saudi National Industrial Cluster Development Program (NICDP) and Toyota Motor Corporation today signed a memorandum of understanding for the feasibility study of an industrial project to produce vehicles and parts Saudi Arabia.
The MoU was signed in Tokyo on the sidelines of the visit by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz to Japan.
Foreign Minster Adel al-Jubeir met today with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson at the State Department. During their meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations the latest regional and international developments, including the situations in Syria, Yemen, Libya and Iraq. Minister Al-Jubeir and Secretary Tillerson also discussed the efforts being exerted by both counties to fight terrorism and combat extremism.
Vice Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Prince Mohammad bin Naif chaired the Cabinet's weekly session at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh this afternoon.
Crown Prince Mohammed briefed the Cabinet on the contents of the message sent by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz to Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of Kuwait, the telephone call King Salman had with President Joko Widodo of Indonesia, and his meetings in Indonesian. Crown Prince Mohammad also briefed the cabinet on his meeting with New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Murray MuCully.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz held today talks with the Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe. King Salman arrived in Tokyo yesterday from Indonesia.
Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, arrived this morning in Washington for a working visit starting Thursday. During the visit, he will meet US President Donald Trump and a number of officials to discuss the strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries and regional issues of mutual interest.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz today left Indonesia on his way to Japan on an official visit.
The Royal Court announced today that Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, left this morning for the United States on an working visit starting Thursday. During the visit, he will meet US President Donald Trump and a number of officials to discuss the strengthening of bilateral relations between the two countries and regional issues of mutual interest.
The Ministry of Interior said in a statement that at 9:30 am today, security men came under heavy fire while searching for wanted terrorists in abandoned houses in Mousawarah District of Awwamiyya. Security forces returned fire and wounded wanted suspect Waleed Talal Ali Aridh. Al-Ardh was transported to a local hospital where he died a short time later. No security men were harmed, the statement said.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz arrived in Japan today on an official visit. King Salman was received at Haneda International Airport in Tokyo by Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan,
The National Center for Monitoring Earthquakes and Volcanoes (NCMEV) recorded three earthquakes between 3.0 and 3.7 magnitude about 84 km north of Umluj in Tabuk Province. No damages were reported.
Makkah Police announced today that two suspects wanted in the assault on a police patrol in Jeddah March 7 were apprehended. The two, identified as Wajdi Nassir Ali Basabrin, Yemeni nationality, and Akram Broufa, Chadian nationality. Five other assailants were apprehended earlier and all seven have been transferred to the Bureau of Investigation and Prosecution.
Makkah Police Spokesman Col. Aati Al-Qurashi reported that at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7, during a routine patrol along the Jeddah Corniche, a police patrol observed a group of motorcyclists engaged in reckless behavior and endangering public safety. While dealing with the situation, the bikers assaulted one of the police officers and intentionally drove over him. The bikers also assaulted a private security guard when he tried to help patrolman. Following the attack, the bikers fled the scene.
The Saudi Embassy in the Maldives today dismissing as baseless and unfounded allegations that Saudi Arabia is purchasing an atoll from the Maldives. In a statement, the embassy said that “the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia neither invest in such project nor has an intention doing so or buying a land/island or an atoll, in the Republic of Maldives.”
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz expressed his condolences to President Dr. Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai of Afghanistan on the victims of the terrorist attack at the military hospital in Kabul. During the telephone conversation, King Salman pray to Allah Almighty to grant the victims rest in peace, wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.
Foreign Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir received in Riyadh today Special Envoy of UN Secretary-General to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed. During the meeting, they discussed the latest developments on the Yemeni arena.
The Saudi National Campaign for the Support of Brothers in Syria has distributed 231,049 winter items to 73,401 Syrian refugees in Al-Zaatari Refugee Camp in Jordan as part of its winter campaign.
The Riyadh-based King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief) announced today that it is air dropping humanitarian supplies to the besieged population in Taiz. KSRelief Director Dr. Abdullah Al-Rabiah said that in collaboration with the Saudi Ministry of Defense and the Arab Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen, the humanitarian air drops broke the siege by Houthi militias and Ali Abdullah Saleh forces of Taiz. The air drops consists of food and medical supplies. Dr.
The Riyadh-based King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRelief) has set up refuges camps in Somalia, Yemen and Djibouti to accommodate Yemenis escaping the war and other refugees from disaster-stricken countries.
The projects included, educational services, two satellite channels broadcasting about 4,000 lectures to more than 1,000,000 students, in addition to therapeutic projects, construction of housing units and addressing the situation of refugees in Yemen.
Police have shot dead a Daesh (ISIS) member in Riyadh after he pulled a gun on the officers who came to his apartment to investigate a report of Daesh supporters living in the appartment, the Ministry of Interior announced today. Another man was arrested at the apartment after a weapon was found in his possession.
The ministry said that alert neighbors in the furnished apartment building reported the suspects police. The security authorities are continuing investigation.
The Interior Ministry announced today that an off-duty police officer was shot dead in his vehicle in Qatif last night. The officer was identified as Musa DakhailAllah Al-Sharari of the Old Tarot Police Station in Qatif. The police have started criminal investigation.
(WASHINGTON, DC) – The King Salman Humanitarian Aid & Relief Center (KSRelief) recently sent 58 trucks carrying medical supplies and equipment to a number of provinces in Yemen. Of these, 11 trucks delivered supplies to Republic Hospital in Aden and six trucks to Mareb Hospital.
Saudi Arabia, working through KSRelief, is the largest donor of humanitarian assistance to the Yemeni people. KSRelief was established in May 2015 under the sponsorship of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz.
The Foreign Ministry today condemnation yesterday’s terrorist attack on a military base in Mali that killed a number of soldiers. In a statement, the foreign ministry reiterated the Kingdom’s support for Mali and offered its condolences to the families of the victims and Malian government and people.
The Vice Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Prince Mohammad bin Naif chaired the Cabinet’s weekly session at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh this afternoon. At the outset of the session, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Naif reviewed the success the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz’s visit to Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam.
Following a review of King Salman’s ongoing tour of Asia, the Council reviewed recent regional and international developments.
The Riyadh-based King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSRELIEF) is leading international efforts to rehabilitate Yemen’s health sector which has nearly been destroyed since the Houthi militias and the forces loyal to deposed president Ali Abdullah Saleh usurped power in Sana’a. The United Nations detailed Houthi militias’ gross violations of international humanitarian law, including attacks on hospitals and medical facilities. Houthi militias and Saleh loyalists have also prevented medical supplies from reached the needy.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam held talks today at Istana Nurul Iman Palace in Brunei. During the session, they reviewed bilateral relations and aspects of cooperation between the two brotherly countries in all fields.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz left Indonesia today after a four-day visit during which he met with President Joko Widodo and senior Indonesian officials, business and religious leaders.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz arrived here today on an official visit to Brunei Darussalam. King Salman was received at Brunei International Airport by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has strongly condemned the Tuesday's terrorist attacks by Ansarul Islam of Ibrahim Malam Dicko against two police stations in Soum Province in northern Burkina Faso, where a civilian was wounded and some buildings and vehicles were burned.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Indonesian President Joko Widodo held talks at Astana Presidential Palace in Jakarta today.
During the meeting, King Salman cited the historic close cooperation between the Kingdom and Indonesia and said that the challenges facing the world today necessitate to deepen dialogue, and intensify efforts to confront those challenges. The King appreciated the position of Indonesia in supporting Islamic solidarity as well as the fair cause of Palestinian people.