Biden thanks Saudi Arabia as Kingdom evacuates over 150 Saudis, foreign nationals from Sudan

Biden thanks Saudi Arabia as Kingdom evacuates over 150 Saudis, foreign nationals from Sudan
More than 300 people have been killed since the fighting erupted on April 15 between forces loyal to Sudan's army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). (File/AFP)
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Updated 24 April 2023
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Biden thanks Saudi Arabia as Kingdom evacuates over 150 Saudis, foreign nationals from Sudan

Biden thanks Saudi Arabia as Kingdom evacuates over 150 Saudis, foreign nationals from Sudan
  • 5 ships carrying 158 people from 11 different countries arrived from Sudan
  • Evacuated people were transported to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia

JEDDAH: More than 150 people from various nations reached the safety of Saudi Arabia on Saturday in the first announced evacuation of civilians from Sudan, where fighting between the army and paramilitaries entered a second week following a brief lull.

Foreign nations have said they are preparing for the potential evacuation of thousands more of their nationals, even though Sudan’s main airport remains closed.

As the Kingdom’s naval forces transported the civilians, including diplomats and international officials, across the Red Sea from Port Sudan to Jeddah, fighting resumed in Sudan’s capital Khartoum after a temporary truce saw gunfire momentarily die down on Friday, the first day of Eid Al-Fitr.

Fighting has left hundreds dead and thousands wounded while survivors cope with shortages of electricity and food.

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry announced the “safe arrival” of 91 of its citizens along with nationals from Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, Egypt, Tunisia, Pakistan, India, Bulgaria, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Canada and Burkina Faso.

It added that diplomats and international officials were among those who arrived in the evacuation operation carried out by the Royal Saudi Navy with the support of various branches of the armed forces.

US President Joe Biden thanked the Kingdom, Djibouti and Ethiopia for facilitating the plan to get US personnel out of Khartoum. 

“I thank Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Saudi Arabia, which were critical to the success of our operation,” he said in a statement on Saturday, calling for a ceasefire to allow “unhindered humanitarian access, and respect the will of the people of Sudan”. 

The Saudi ministry said in a statement: “The Kingdom worked to provide all the basic needs of foreign nationals in preparation for their departure to their countries.

“The first evacuation vessel from Sudan has arrived, carrying 50 (Saudi) citizens and a number of nationals from friendly countries,” the official Al-Ekhbariyah television said.

The first boat docked at the Red Sea port of Jeddah where the four other ships carrying 108 people from 11 different countries was expected to arrive later from Sudan, the broadcaster said.

Al-Ekhbariyah carried footage of large vessels arriving in Jeddah’s port. It also released a video showing women and children carrying Saudi flags on board one of the ships.

Those who have arrived in Jeddah include the crew of a Saudi passenger plane that was hit by gunfire while preparing to take off from Khartoum at the start of the fighting on April 15, according to Saudi state TV.

A convoy of vehicles carried the evacuees to Port Sudan from where they boarded ships to Jeddah, according to the Saudi broadcaster.

Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al-Khuraiji received the first batch of citizens and foreign nationals, upon their arrival today at King Faisal Naval Base in the Western Fleet in Jeddah on board the His Majesty King Jubail ship.




Saudi security forces welcome Saudi citizens and other nationals with chocolates and flowers as they disembark in Jeddah from a ship that rescued them from Sudan. (SPA)

He said the journey was long, starting from Khartoum, passing through a number of regions in Sudan until reaching Port Sudan, and was done in cooperation with government agencies in the Kingdom, praising the role of the Ministry of Defense that implemented the plan.
“We all celebrate the return of our sons and the sons of brotherly and friendly countries to the Kingdom Saudi Arabia, which coincided with the celebration of Eid Al-Fitr,” he said.
Those evacuated expressed their thanks and appreciation to the Saudi government and the concerned authorities in the Kingdom for their efforts to secure their transportation and facilitate their arrival procedures to the Kingdom.

Earlier on Saturday, the Kingdom’s Foreign Ministry announced that Saudi Arabia will start arranging the evacuation of its citizens and several nationals from other “brotherly and friendly” countries from Sudan as clashes intensify despite an Eid truce.

In a statement, the Saudi foreign ministry said the evacuated people will be flown to Saudi Arabia.

The decision comes “in the implementation of the directives” of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman “to oversee the care and wellbeing of citizens of the Kingdom in the Republic of Sudan,” the foreign ministry said.

Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah said his country carried out an emergency operation to evacuate Kuwaiti citizens stranded in Sudan.

Sheikh Salem confirmed that all citizens wishing to return to the country had arrived safely in Jeddah, and that work was currently underway to secure their transfer to Kuwait.

The minister praised the efforts of Kuwait’s Ambassador to Sudan Dr. Fahd Mashari Al-Dhafiri, all members of the embassy in Khartoum and also extended his sincere thanks and gratitude to the Saudi authorities for coordinating and providing all the facilities for the transfer and evacuation of citizens to Jeddah.

He also thanked the Sudanese authorities and everyone who contributed to securing the safety of Kuwaiti citizens and enabling them to communicate with their families to ensure their safe return to their country.

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Saturday’s evacuations mark the first major civilian rescue since violence in Sudan broke out on April 15.

Eid this year in Sudan is being marked by fear, grief and hunger.Eid is meant to be spent “with sweets and pastries, with happy children, and people greeting relatives,” Khartoum resident Sami Al-Nour said. Instead, there has been “gunfire and the stench of blood all around us.”

The Sudanese army said it was coordinating efforts to evacuate diplomats from the United States, Britain, China and France out of the country on military airplanes, as fighting persisted in the capital, including at its main airport.

The military said that army chief Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan had spoken to leaders of various countries requesting safe evacuations of their citizens and diplomats from Sudan.

Foreign countries have struggled in vain to repatriate their citizens, a task deemed far too risky as clashes between the Sudanese army and a rival powerful paramilitary group have raged in and around Khartoum, including in residential areas.

The main international airport near the center of the capital has been the target of heavy shelling as the paramilitary group, known as the Rapid Support Forces, has tried to take control of the complex, complicating evacuation plans. With Sudan’s airspace closed, foreign countries have ordered their citizens to simply shelter in place until they can figure out evacuation plans.

The country has been roiled by bloody fighting for the past week that has killed over 400 people so far, according to the World Health Organization.

(With AFP and AP)


Saudi program provides MRI training for Yemen radiologists

Saudi program provides MRI training for Yemen radiologists
Updated 26 September 2023
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Saudi program provides MRI training for Yemen radiologists

Saudi program provides MRI training for Yemen radiologists
  • Training will provide medical doctors at Marib General Hospital with the skills to operate the hi-tech equipment
  • Under the Saudi-backed program, 34 projects and development initiatives have been carried out in Yemeni governorates.

RIYADH: Radiologists in Yemen are to be trained in the use of MRI scanners as part of Saudi Arabia’s development and reconstruction program for the country.

The training will provide medical doctors at Marib General Hospital with the skills to operate the hi-tech equipment, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The course is part of an ongoing project to equip the hospital authority’s radiology and MRI department with all the latest medical devices to improve the healthcare offering to communities in the Marib governorate.

Under the Saudi-backed program, 34 projects and development initiatives have been carried out in Yemeni governorates.

In the Marib governorate, Kara General Hospital was supplied with 24 medical devices, September 26 Hospital received 27 pieces of equipment, and 13 items were delivered to the Marib General Hospital Authority. Each hospital was also supplied with a fully equipped ambulance.

Overall, the Saudi initiative in Yemen has seen the implementation of 229 development projects covering the education, health, water, energy, transport, agriculture, and fisheries sectors, and has helped toward boosting the capacity of public institutions.


Saudi Arabia granted China’s Approved Destination Status

Saudi Arabia granted China’s Approved Destination Status
Updated 26 September 2023
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Saudi Arabia granted China’s Approved Destination Status

Saudi Arabia granted China’s Approved Destination Status
  • Agreement will boost connectivity between the countries, open opportunities across the tourism sector

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia was officially granted Approved Destination Status by China on Tuesday, allowing Chinese citizens to travel to the Kingdom on group tours, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

A signing ceremony took place in Beijing in the presence of Saudi Ambassador to China Abdulrahman bin Ahmed Al-Harbi, Saudi Tourism Authority CEO Fahd Hamidaddin, and China’s Vice Minister of Culture and Tourism Du Jiang.

The agreement will boost connectivity between the two countries and open opportunities across the tourism sector, the SPA added.

Saudi Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb said: “Underpinned by China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a historic reform blueprint aimed at driving forward meaningful economic and social development, China and Saudi Arabia are unlocking limitless opportunities and driving forward mutually beneficial collaboration.

“The ADS status is expected to significantly boost inbound travel from China, creating greater ease of access needed to reach Saudi Arabia’s target of attracting 3 million Chinese tourists by 2030.

“Today signifies the culmination of months of dedicated efforts between our nations, encapsulating our enduring and historic bilateral relations, which are built on the foundation of shared vision and mutual interests.”

Du said: “Our decades of close bilateral bonds have shown that our nations share a deep appreciation for each other’s rich and diverse culture and are committed to fostering mutual understanding and respect.

“ADS, with its potential to enhance people-to-people exchanges and dialogue, is a testament to this shared vision.”

Hamidaddin said that the Kingdom’s Tourism Authority was collaborating with partners to expedite the expansion of aviation connectivity between China and Saudi Arabia.

He added: “We are also streamlining our visa services, offering e-visas in just under three minutes and visas on arrival. Additionally, we have integrated Chinese payment solutions like UnionPay to facilitate seamless payment for Chinese travelers.

“Offering over 162 bespoke products to the Chinese market, STA looks forward to deepening our collaboration with Chinese online travel agencies and companies.

“Together, Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector is poised to deliver extraordinary experiences, fueled by a commitment that knows no bounds.”

The Kingdom’s flag carrier Saudia has recently launched new direct flights to Beijing from Jeddah and Riyadh.


Saudi Cabinet says it hopes efforts to revitalize peace process will contribute to achieving stability in region

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chairs Tuesday’s Cabinet session. (SPA)
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chairs Tuesday’s Cabinet session. (SPA)
Updated 29 min 9 sec ago
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Saudi Cabinet says it hopes efforts to revitalize peace process will contribute to achieving stability in region

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman chairs Tuesday’s Cabinet session. (SPA)
  • The Cabinet agreed to establish a Saudi-Algerian Supreme Coordination Council

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Cabinet said on Tuesday that it hopes efforts to revitalize the peace process will contribute to achieving security and stability in the Middle East.

The efforts, launched by the Kingdom, the Arab League, and the EU, in cooperation with Egypt and Jordan, aim to establish an independent Palestinian state on June 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan co-chaired a meeting that aimed to produce a “Peace Supporting Package” for the Middle East on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York last week.

During the meeting, Prince Faisal said there would be no solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict without an independent Palestinian state.

The meeting in New York was attended by representatives from nearly 70 countries and international organizations, and included around 50 speakers.

The Cabinet also confirmed its support for strengthening international cooperation in order to harness nuclear technologies to serve humanity, and the importance of implementing the provisions of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons to reach a world free of such weapons, especially in the Middle East.

The Cabinet also agreed to establish a Saudi-Algerian Supreme Coordination Council.

It was also briefed on the results of the Kingdom’s participation in the UNGA and its efforts in achieving sustainable development goals, finding solutions to international challenges, and continuing to to address them.


UN envoy for Yemen condemns attack that claimed the lives of two Bahraini military personnel

Bahraini military personnel are pictured after performing funeral prayers for their colleagues who were killed on Monday. (BNA)
Bahraini military personnel are pictured after performing funeral prayers for their colleagues who were killed on Monday. (BNA)
Updated 26 September 2023
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UN envoy for Yemen condemns attack that claimed the lives of two Bahraini military personnel

Bahraini military personnel are pictured after performing funeral prayers for their colleagues who were killed on Monday. (BNA)
  • The US embassy in Saudi Arabia also condemned the attack
  • Grundberg expressed concern over continued military tensions at the Yemeni border and on several frontlines in Yemen over the past months

RIYADH: The UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg condemned on Tuesday an attack that claimed the lives of two Bahraini military personnel and injured several others in Saudi Arabia on Monday.

Bahrain’s military said on Monday that one officer and one soldier had been killed in a drone attack perpetrated by the Houthis.

Grundberg expressed concern over continued military tensions at the Yemeni border and on several frontlines in Yemen over the past months that have led to casualties, including civilian loss of life.

He warned that any renewal of offensive military escalation risks plunging Yemen back into a cycle of violence and undermines ongoing peace efforts.“Continued flare-ups of fighting demonstrate the fragility of the situation in Yemen,” the special envoy said.

“We have been in touch with all sides to urge them to exercise maximum restraint at this critical time, and to use dialogue to resolve differences and diffuse military tensions,” he added.

Grundberg warned that “the minimum level of trust required for constructive dialogue is hard-earned, but easily lost.”

He emphasized the need for decisive steps towards a sustainable nationwide ceasefire and the resumption of an inclusive political process to end the conflict.

He also offered his condolences to Bahrain and his wishes for the swift recovery of the injured.

The US embassy in Saudi Arabia also condemned the attack.

“Such attacks are unacceptable and threaten the longest period of calm since the war in Yemen began,” it said in a statement.


Saudi FM received by Qatar emir and prime minister

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and Prince Faisal bin Farhan meet in Doha on Tuesday. (SPA)
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and Prince Faisal bin Farhan meet in Doha on Tuesday. (SPA)
Updated 26 September 2023
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Saudi FM received by Qatar emir and prime minister

Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and Prince Faisal bin Farhan meet in Doha on Tuesday. (SPA)
  • Prince Faisal is on an official visit to Qatar and also met with Qatar’s prime minister

RIYADH: The emir of Qatar received Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan in Doha on Tuesday.

During the visit, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and Prince Faisal discussed bilateral relations between their countries and ways to strengthen them in all fields.

They also discussed the latest regional and international developments and topics of common interest.

Prince Faisal meets with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani. (SPA)

Prince Faisal is on an official visit to Qatar and also met with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani.

The two officials reviewed relations between Saudi Arabia and Qatar and ways to develop them.

They also reviewed opportunities for bilateral cooperation in various fields, and exchanged views on the latest developments.