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One of Saudi Arabia's most prominent political activists was released from prison on Wednesday, her family said, after serving nearly three years on charges that have sparked an international uproar over the kingdom's human rights record. Loujain al-Hathloul, who pushed to end a ban on women driving in Saudi Arabia, was sentenced to almost six years in prison last December under a broad counterterrorism law. Held for 1001 days, with stints in pre-trial detention and solitary confinement, she was accused of crimes such as agitating for change and pursuing a foreign agenda — charges that rights groups describe as politically motivated. “Loujain is at home!" her sister Lina al-Hathloul declared on Twitter alongside a screenshot showing a flushed Ms Loujain beaming on a family video call. Also read: Who is Loujain al-Hathloul? There was no immediate comment from Saudi authorities on her release. Her early release was widely expected as the judge suspended part of her … [Read more...] about Prominent Saudi women’s rights activist Loujain al-Hathloul released from prison

Yemen’s Houthi rebels targeted the Abha International Airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, causing a civilian plane on the tarmac to catch fire, the kingdom’s state television reported. Firefighters brought the blaze under control, Saudi state-owned Al-Ekhbariya TV said, without offering word on possible casualties from the assault. The Iran-backed Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack soon afterward, with military spokesperson Yehia Sareai saying the group used four bomb-laden drones to target Abha airport. “This comes in response to the continued aerial bombardment and the brutal siege on our country,” Mr. Sareai said, noting that the Houthis consider the airport a military and not a civilian target. Col. Turki al-Maliki, the spokesperson for the Saudi-led military coalition fighting in Yemen, said the forces intercepted two bomb-laden drones launched by the Houthis toward the kingdom. He condemned the assault as a “deliberate attempt to target civilians in … [Read more...] about Houthis target Saudi airport, plane catches fire

Saudi Arabia has banned flights to and from India from Tuesday amid a surge in coronavirus cases, according to an official document. However, it excluded "passengers who have official government invitations". The GACA circular -- titled: 'Suspension of travel to countries where the COVID-19 virus has outbreak' -- was marked to all the airlines and chartered flight companies operating at the Saudi Arabia's airports. Saudi Arabia and the UAE host a significant Indian migrant population. Five days back, Air India Express had said the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority suspended its flights for 24 hours for bringing two passengers with COVID-positive certificates on August 28 and September 4. Dubai is the most populous city of the United Arab Emirates. Scheduled international passenger flights have been suspended in India since March 23 due to the outbreak. However, special international flights have been operating between India and Saudi Arabia since May 6 under the … [Read more...] about Covid-19: Saudi Arabia bans flights to and from India

Dubai: Yemen's Houthi rebels on Wednesday targeted Abha International Airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia, causing a civilian plane on the tarmac to catch fire, the kingdom's state television reported. The state-owned Al-Ekhbariya TV said that firefighters have brought the blaze under control. The initial reports offered no word on any possible casualties from the attack. Saudi officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday. Col. Turki al-Maliki, the spokesman for the Saudi-led military coalition, said coalition forces intercepted and destroyed two bomb-laden drones launched by the Houthis toward the kingdom. He condemned the assault as a "systematic and deliberate attempt to target civilians in the southern region" of Saudi Arabia. In November 2017, the Houthis targeted Riyadh's international airport in an attack. Saudi officials later blamed Iran for providing the missile to the Houthis used in that and other attacks on the kingdom amid its … [Read more...] about Yemen’s Houthi rebel target Saudi Arabia’s Abha International Airport, sets plane on fire: Report

New Delhi: In a significant development, Indian and Saudi Arabia armies will undertake joint bilateral exercises and this will be the first such exercise of both the armies together. The Indian forces contingent will be travelling to Saudi Arabia for the exercises which will be taking place in the next financial year. In December of 2020, in another significant development, Indian Army Chief General MM Naravane had visited Saudi Arabia. It was the first time any Indian Army chief had visited the west Asian country in what is a clear sign of growing ties between New Delhi and Riyadh. The Army Chief during his Saudi Arabia trip had visited Headquarters of Royal Saudi Land Force, the Joint Force Command Headquarters and King Abdul Aziz Military Academy. Saudi Arabia identifies India as one of the Kingdom’s Strategic Partner Countries under its 'Vision 2030’. The last few years have seen an increased engagement between the two countries. 2019 saw the visit of Prime Minister … [Read more...] about FIRST EVER! Indian-Saudi Arabia armies to undertake joint bilateral exercises