Saudi Arabia hosts military drills at Prince Sultan Airbase

Servicemen from the Royal Saudi Air Force greet their Jordanian counterparts at Prince Sultan Airbase, Dec. 2 (SPA)
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Updated 03 December 2024
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Saudi Arabia hosts military drills at Prince Sultan Airbase

  • 8 other countries’ forces taking part in 2-week military exercise southeast of Riyadh

RIYADH: Prince Sultan Airbase is hosting Tuwaiq 4 military drills with the air forces from eight other countries. 

Alongside the Royal Saudi Air Force, combat pilots and military servicemen from Oman, Jordan, Morocco, Qatar, the UK, the US, Greece, and the UAE participated on Monday in aerial drills at the base near Al-Kharj, southeast of Riyadh. 

Forces from Egypt and Bahrain will be joining as observers in the two-week military exercise.

Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Khanfour, a Saudi colonel pilot, said that Tuwaiq 4 drills looked to enhance cooperation, raise the level of readiness, and improve the combat efficiency of aircrews, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Drills will also focus on tactical landing, flying at high and low altitudes, operating in challenging scenarios, carrying out search and rescue operations, and enhancing ground technical support. 

Tuwaiq 4 also includes lectures about prominent air combat technologies and theories of planning and commanding an air operation.


Kingdom marks world’s anti-drug day

Updated 10 sec ago
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Kingdom marks world’s anti-drug day

  • More than 922 kg of banned substances seized in KSA over 12 months
  • A number of awareness events were held across the country on Thursday — the UN’s International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

RIYADH: More than 922 kg of banned substances, including more than 20 million pills, have been seized in Saudi Arabia over the past year, the Kingdom’s customs authority announced on Thursday as officials marked the UN’s world anti-drug day.

One recent drug bust in cooperation with authorities from the Syrian Arab Republic thwarted an attempt to smuggle 200,000 amphetamine tablets from the Levant nation, a Ministry of Interior spokesperson said via the Saudi Press Agency.

The announcement was made as a number of awareness events were held across the country on Thursday — the UN’s International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

Events in the Riyadh and Asir regions will run until Saturday, educating members of the public about the dangers of drugs.

Smugglers have attempted to bring contraband into the country in various ways, by concealing the items in shipments of food, household utensils, vehicles, shoes and even inside their body cavities, the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority said.

The organization places the fight against drugs as one of its top priorities and will continue to tighten security at the Kingdom’s borders, it added.

Jasim Mohamed Albudaiwi, the secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, said that the GCC countries see drug control measures as a top priority.

The GCC states have formed a united front to tackle the use and trade of illicit substances which endanger families and society, he added.

Albudaiwi also stressed the importance of reintegrating recovering drug addicts into society, and highlighted the role that schools, the media, religious leaders and civil society’s institutions play in stopping the use of drugs.

Meanwhile, the Naif College for National Security in Riyadh celebrated the graduation of 63 trainees of various courses on Thursday, including anti-drug programs.

The ceremony was attended by Maj. Gen. Muhammad bin Saeed Al-Qarni, the director general of narcotics control, who congratulated the graduates and stressed that the Kingdom’s anti-drug programs received the full support of the country’s leadership.

The Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority has called on members of the public to contribute to the fight against drug smuggling in order to protect society and the Kingdom’s economy.

Reports can be made to the domestic telephone number 1910, internationally via 009661910, or via email at 1910@zatca.gov.sa.

All reports are treated with confidentiality, the authority said, and accurate information will be rewarded financially.


Saudi foreign minister discusses Syria’s stability with US envoy

Updated 30 min 47 sec ago
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Saudi foreign minister discusses Syria’s stability with US envoy

  • Tom Barrack, US envoy to Syria, visited Riyadh on Thursday

LONDON: Prince Faisal bin Farhan, the Saudi minister of foreign affairs, received Tom Barrack, the US envoy to Syria, in Riyadh.

During the meeting on Thursday, officials discussed ways to support the Syrian Arab Republic in enhancing its security, stability, and economic recovery, reported the Saudi Press Agency.


Djibouti ambassador praises deep ties between African state and Saudi Arabia

Updated 38 min 1 sec ago
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Djibouti ambassador praises deep ties between African state and Saudi Arabia

  • Djibouti Embassy celebrates 48th anniversary of independence 
  • Ambassador reaffirms Djibouti’s unwavering support for the Palestinian cause

RIYADH: The Djibouti Embassy in Riyadh donned patriotic colors as its staff celebrated their national day on Wednesday night, hosting a befitting reception to mark the occasion.

On the occasion of the 48th anniversary of the National Independence of Djibouti, Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama, ambassador of the Republic of Djibouti to Saudi Arabia and the dean of the Diplomatic Corps, hosted an official reception at the Cultural Palace in the Diplomatic Quarter.

The event was attended by Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, deputy governor of Riyadh Region, as guest of honor and patron, and Prince Sultan bin Salman, the founder and chairman of the Saudi Aviation Club.

The reception was also attended by numerous princes, ambassadors, distinguished business leaders, media professionals, artists, and members of the Saudi and Djibouti community.

Addressing the gathering the ambassador highlighted Djibouti’s remarkable achievements over the past five decades, particularly in terms of security, stability, and sustainable development.

He also emphasized the deep and sincere fraternal relations that unite the leaderships and people of the two nations.

Furthermore, the ambassador reaffirmed Djibouti’s firm and unwavering position in support of the Palestinian cause, advocating for the restoration of the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights, including the establishment of an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Saudi Arabia also strongly supports the two-state solution as the path to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Palestine is officially recognized by 147 of the UN’s 193 member states and has observer status at the UN.

The ambassador also reiterated Djibouti’s commitment to a calm, constructive, and principled diplomacy, actively working to promote peace in the region and around the world, rejecting wars and advocating for dialogue, peaceful coexistence, and sustainable development.


Forecast of higher temperatures, rainfall in July and August in Saudi

Updated 16 min 44 sec ago
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Forecast of higher temperatures, rainfall in July and August in Saudi

  • 1 C rise in central, northern and eastern regions
  • Above-normal rain in south, west regions forecast 

JEDDAH: Higher temperatures are expected in July and August in the central, northern and eastern parts of Saudi Arabia, the National Center for Meteorology has announced.

In a seasonal forecast carried by the Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday, the meteorology authority expects a rise of 1 degree Celsius in parts of Riyadh, Qassim and Hail, as well as the eastern and Northern Borders regions.

It is expected to peak in August with a rise of 1.2 degrees Celsius in Jouf, Tabuk, Qassim, Hail and the eastern regions.

The NCM has also forecast higher-than-normal rainfall in Najran, Jazan, Al-Baha, Asir, parts of Makkah and Madinah, southern Riyadh and the eastern regions, particularly in July and August.

The rest of the Kingdom is expected to have normal rainfall.

The Summer 2025 forecast, covering the months of June to August, is based on climatic conditions from 1991 to 2020, the SPA stated.

According to the report, the highest temperature was recorded in Jeddah in June 2010 at 52 degrees Celsius, while Al-Ahsa recorded 51.3 in July 2024.

Dammam and Al-Qaisumah in the eastern part of the Kingdom recorded August highs of 51 in 1998 and 2021.

For rainfall, the southwestern region of Jazan recorded the highest daily amount in August 2024 at 113 millimeters. It also held the record for July at 67.6 in 1995.

For the month of June, Sharurah, in the southern province of Najran, recorded the highest daily amount in June 1996 at 53.8.


Governor of Qassim praises heritage center for preserving region’s culture and history

Updated 26 June 2025
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Governor of Qassim praises heritage center for preserving region’s culture and history

  • Prince Faisal bin Mishaal highlights the ways in which the Cultural Heritage Center helps boost national pride in the Kingdom’s historical and cultural identity
  • He tours exhibits that showcase the region’s various historical eras and feature a wide range of treasures, including prehistoric and pre-Islamic artifacts

RIYADH: The governor of Qassim, Prince Faisal bin Mishaal, praised a cultural center on Wednesday for the work it is doing to preserve and showcase the region’s rich history and heritage.

During a tour of the Cultural Heritage Center in Qassim he saw displays devoted to various historical eras and learned about the methods used to preserve the region’s historical and cultural assets, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The prince highlighted the important role the facility plays in shining a light on the region’s cultural heritage, and showcasing key historical artifacts dating back as far as ancient times from sites closely linked to the history and evolution of the Saudi state.

The center, which is part of the regional branch of the Saudi Heritage Commission, has displays that showcase the different historical eras of the region and feature a wide range of exhibits, including prehistoric artifacts and pre-Islamic treasures.

One exhibition is dedicated to Islamic-era Qassim, others to historic pilgrimage routes, architectural heritage sites, and the region’s intangible cultural heritage. There is also an interactive room for children, and a handicrafts section.

Prince Faisal praised the work of the Heritage Commission and highlighted the ways in which its efforts contribute to national pride in the Kingdom’s heritage and its historical identity.

He was accompanied during his visit by Ibrahim Al-Mushaikih, director of the commission’s regional branch, and other officials.

Al-Mushaikih said the governor’s visit represented a significant step in the development of the facility. He invited people from all parts of Saudi society to pay a visit and see for themselves the comprehensive information it offers about Qassim’s archaeological and heritage sites through enjoyable experiences and interactive displays.