Politics
The Crown Prince heads the Saudi delegation... The 45th session of the Gulf Cooperation Council begins in Kuwait
The 45th session of the Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) commenced today (Sunday) in Kuwait, based on
The 45th session of the Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (GCC) commenced today (Sunday) in Kuwait. Based on the directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz headed the Kingdom's delegation participating in the session.
The Emir of Kuwait: Unifying joint Gulf action to meet regional and international challenges
In his speech, the Emir of the State of Kuwait, Chairman of the 45th session of the Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, said: “Our blessed gathering, hosted by the State of Kuwait, embodies an honorable example of unity, a shining example of the strength of union, cohesion and integration, and an accurate reflection of our firm belief in the necessity of strengthening and unifying joint Gulf action to keep pace with the challenges arising from the acceleration of regional and international events and their repercussions, and to elevate the fields of cooperation towards broader horizons that meet the aspirations and ambitions of our peoples, and achieve our desired goal, which is to ensure the prosperity of our countries in an environment of security, safety and stability.” He pointed out that the Gulf Summit is being held under extremely complex circumstances that are casting a shadow over the global economy, threatening the development and prosperity of our peoples, which requires us to accelerate the pace of our work aimed at achieving Gulf economic integration. He stressed that this comes through unifying policies, diversifying non-traditional sources of income, facilitating trade and investment, supporting local industries, and expanding the bases of innovation and entrepreneurship, especially in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, in order to enhance the competitiveness of our countries’ economies on the regional and international stages.
He added: “Since its inception in 1981, the Gulf Cooperation Council has proven that our countries, through their solidarity and cohesion, are capable of achieving the prosperity of our peoples, preserving their stability, and achieving their security. Here is our Council today, after more than four decades, still standing tall in its unity, firm in its positions, resolute in its will, and steadfast in its pursuit of establishing the foundations of international peace and security, through its defense of all just causes wherever they may be.” From this standpoint, we reiterate our condemnation of the brutal Israeli occupation of the occupied Palestinian land and the successive genocides perpetrated against the brotherly Palestinian people. We call upon the international community and the Security Council – in particular – to fulfill its role by ensuring the implementation of all relevant Security Council resolutions, an immediate ceasefire, the provision of international protection for innocent civilians, and guaranteeing the opening of safe corridors and the delivery of urgent humanitarian aid. We reaffirm our principled and historic position of supporting the brotherly Palestinian people in their legitimate struggle to end the Israeli occupation of the occupied Palestinian land, attain all their political rights, and establish their independent state on their land within the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the relevant international references and resolutions. Commending the positive and constructive gestures made by the friendly Islamic Republic of Iran towards the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), we look forward to these gestures being reflected in resolving outstanding issues between the friendly Islamic Republic of Iran and all GCC member states, and elevating cooperation to broader horizons, within the framework of the UN Charter, international law, the principles of good neighborliness, respect for states, and non-interference in their internal affairs. We believe in the principle of good neighborliness and that dialogue is a cornerstone for overcoming obstacles and challenges.
He concluded his speech by affirming the commitment to completing the joint Gulf action towards everything that would meet the aspirations of the peoples of the GCC countries and achieve their hopes for a bright future, in which they enjoy elevation, growth and prosperity.
Al-Badawi: The two-state solution achieves just peace
The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jassim Mohammed Al-Badawi, expressed his deep appreciation for the role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in hosting the two extraordinary Arab-Islamic summits, in which Arab and Muslim leaders agreed on the importance of implementing the two-state solution and establishing an independent Palestinian state, praising the launch of the “International Coalition to Implement the Two-State Solution” to achieve a just and lasting peace in accordance with the relevant United Nations resolutions and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative.
He said: “We are meeting today, in this important session, in light of sensitive regional conditions and rapidly unfolding events, which call for strengthening solidarity, consolidating the bonds of cohesion between our countries, and working diligently and continuously to consolidate the foundations upon which our great system was built, those foundations that made the Cooperation Council an exemplary model of unity and integration.”.
He added: “In this context, we cannot overlook the horrific crisis that the Palestinian people are suffering under in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, due to the ongoing war waged by the Israeli occupation forces, the effects of which have extended to Lebanon, leading to a dangerous military escalation and exacerbating tensions in the region. Faced with these serious challenges, we reiterate our demand to the international community to take decisive measures, adhere to its humanitarian and legal responsibilities, and work towards an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire, and alleviate the suffering of innocent civilians.”.
Following that, the leaders and heads of delegations participating in the 45th session of the Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf held their closed working session.
The official delegation of the Kingdom includes the Minister of Energy, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Minister of State and Member of the Council of Ministers, Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, the Minister of Sports, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal bin Abdulaziz, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, the Minister of State and Member of the Council of Ministers and National Security Advisor, Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, the Minister of Finance, Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Jadaan, the Minister of Transport and Logistics, Engineer Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser, the Secretary of the Crown Prince, Dr. Bandar bin Obaid Al-Rasheed, and the Deputy Chief of Royal Protocol, Rakan bin Mohammed Al-Tubaishi.
Politics
Saudi leadership offers condolences to Thailand for the victims of the tragic train accident
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince sent a cable of condolences to the King of Thailand regarding the victims of the crane accident on a train, in a gesture reflecting the depth of Saudi-Thai relations.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent cables of condolence and sympathy to His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn, King of the Kingdom of Thailand, regarding the victims of the crane accident on a train in the northeast of the country, which resulted in a number of deaths and injuries.
General context and historical background
This humanitarian gesture from the Saudi leadership comes within the context of the remarkably flourishing diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Kingdom of Thailand. After a period of diplomatic estrangement that lasted for three decades, bilateral relations reached a historic turning point in January 2022 with the announcement of the full resumption of diplomatic ties between the two countries. This rapprochement culminated in reciprocal visits at the highest levels and opened up broad prospects for cooperation in multiple fields, including the economy, energy, tourism, and labor. The message of condolence is not merely a protocolary gesture, but rather an affirmation of the strength of these new ties and the two countries' desire to enhance them at all levels, including standing by each other in times of hardship.
The importance of the event and its expected impact
Domestically in Thailand, this tragic accident has once again brought to the forefront safety standards at construction sites and major projects. Like other emerging economies in Southeast Asia, Thailand is experiencing a boom in infrastructure development, including railway networks. Such accidents raise public and media concerns, prompting authorities to review occupational safety procedures and project oversight to ensure they are not repeated.
On both the regional and international levels, the message of condolence from Saudi Arabia, a major power in the Middle East and the Islamic world, carries significant political weight. It reinforces the Kingdom's image as a trusted partner and friend of Thailand, and underscores the humanitarian dimension of its foreign policy. This gesture also contributes to strengthening the positive relations recently established, which will positively impact future cooperation between the two countries in various international forums and enhance the stability of relations between the Arabian Gulf region and Southeast Asia.
Politics
Iran protests see massive death toll... official reveals 5,000
An Iranian official told Reuters that the death toll from the recent protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini had reached 5,000, including 500 members of the security forces.
In a shocking statement reported by Reuters, an Iranian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that the confirmed death toll from the recent nationwide protests has reached at least 5,000. The official clarified that this number includes approximately 500 members of the security forces killed during the clashes.
Background of the protests and their historical context
This wave of protests, the largest and most challenging to the Iranian regime in years, erupted in September 2022 following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. Amini had been detained by Tehran's morality police for allegedly violating the strict hijab laws. She fell into a coma shortly after her arrest and died three days later. Her death sparked widespread public outrage, and her funeral in her hometown of Saqqez, a Kurdish city, became the catalyst for nationwide demonstrations under the slogan "Woman, Life, Freedom," demanding an end to social repression and greater freedoms.
Details of the official statement and its implications
According to the Iranian official, authorities have blamed what they called “terrorists and armed rioters” for the violence and the killing of “innocent Iranians.” He noted that some of the fiercest clashes and highest death tolls were recorded in predominantly Kurdish areas of northwestern Iran, where separatist groups are active. The official also accused foreign entities, specifically “Israel and armed groups abroad,” of providing financial and military support to the protesters with the aim of destabilizing the country. Despite the high death toll, the official ruled out the possibility of the final number rising significantly above this estimate.
Importance and impact at both the local and international levels
These protests posed an unprecedented challenge to the Islamic Republic, revealing the depth of popular discontent with the deteriorating economic conditions and social and political restrictions. Internationally, the government's crackdown was met with widespread condemnation from human rights organizations and Western countries. The United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom imposed multiple rounds of sanctions on Iranian officials and entities involved in human rights abuses, further isolating Tehran diplomatically and impacting negotiations regarding its nuclear program. This figure, if confirmed by independent sources, represents one of the highest death tolls in the history of protests against the Iranian regime, reflecting the scale of the crisis facing the country.
Politics
The Syrian army controls the Al-Omar and Koniko oil fields in eastern Syria
In a major development on the ground, Syrian forces seized control of the Al-Omar oil field and the Conoco gas field in Deir ez-Zor, dealing a strong blow to the Syrian Democratic Forces.
In a significant development on the ground, official and security sources announced that Syrian government forces have taken full control of the al-Omar oil field, the largest in Syria, as well as the strategic Conoco gas field. This takeover, in Deir ez-Zor province in eastern Syria, comes after fierce clashes with the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), marking a major turning point in the struggle for resources in the region.
To understand the dimensions of this event, it is necessary to return to the broader context of the Syrian conflict. Since the outbreak of the crisis, the oil and gas fields in eastern Syria have been a strategic target for all warring parties. After ISIS seized control of these fields and used them as a primary source of funding, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), with air and logistical support from the US-led international coalition, were able to expel the group and take control of these resource-rich areas. The revenues from these fields constituted the main source of income for the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration, enabling it to finance its military and administrative operations in northern and eastern Syria.
The Syrian army's recent advance was not a coincidence, but rather the result of exploiting existing tensions between the Arab population, which constitutes the majority in Deir ez-Zor, and the leadership of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). According to sources, the advance of local Arab tribal fighters greatly facilitated the government forces' mission, allowing them to rapidly deploy across an area exceeding 150 kilometers along the eastern bank of the Euphrates River, from the border town of Baghouz with Iraq to key towns such as al-Shuhail and al-Basira.
The government forces' gains were not limited to energy fields, but extended to other strategic locations. Earlier, the Syrian army seized the northern city of Tabqa and the adjacent Euphrates Dam, as well as the Freedom Dam (formerly known as the Baath Dam), vital facilities that control the region's water resources and electricity generation.
This loss is a devastating economic and military blow to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), stripping them of their most important assets and sources of funding, and weakening their future negotiating position. Domestically, this control provides the Syrian government with a significant economic boost, supplying it with much-needed energy resources to mitigate the effects of sanctions and the crippling economic crisis. Regionally and internationally, this development represents a victory for the Damascus-Tehran-Moscow axis and, conversely, poses a major challenge to the US strategy in Syria, which relies heavily on supporting the SDF as a local partner. The full ramifications of this shift on the ground remain unclear, but it will undoubtedly redraw the map of influence and control in eastern Syria.
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