Everything Sawti has published in connection with this country.
Saudi Arabia said its defences intercepted two drones launched by the Houthis towards the capital, Riyadh, in the latest attack in a wave of missile and drone launches targeting Saudi cities during September, including attempted strikes on Riyadh, Taif, Yanbu and Mecca.
Turkish Chief of Staff Selçuk Bayraktaroğlu is travelling to Saudi Arabia on 25 September 2026 to take part in a meeting involving the chiefs of staff of Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. The meeting follows ministerial consultations in New York on preparations for the gathering, which Türkiye’s Defence Ministry said would be held under the name “Makkah Defence Alliance”.
Egypt’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks on the Saudi oil pipeline in the Riyadh and Medina regions, describing them as a flagrant violation of international law and a threat to regional stability. The Egyptian position came after Riyadh announced that drones launched from Iraqi territory had carried out the attacks, which caused injuries and material damage.
The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan discussed convening an urgent meeting of the three countries’ chiefs of staff to consider supporting the Kingdom under the Makkah Agreement on joint defence, after the Houthis announced missile and drone attacks and Saudi authorities said they had intercepted six ballistic missiles.
Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti Sheikh Saleh bin Fawzan al-Fawzan called on soldiers stationed along the kingdom’s borders to be prepared to sacrifice themselves in confronting the Houthis, stressing that restoring the internationally recognised Yemeni government’s authority over the entire country was among the most obligatory duties, amid a mutual military escalation.
Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan are preparing to hold an urgent meeting of their chiefs of staff to discuss supporting the kingdom under the Mecca Agreement for Joint Defence, following a wave of Houthi attacks. The announcement came after trilateral ministerial consultations in New York on mechanisms for implementing the agreement and strengthening defence coordination among its signatories.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that Paris and Riyadh had agreed to deploy troops, radars and defence systems to protect energy facilities in Yanbu on the Red Sea. He said the mission was defensive and was not intended to involve France in the conflict, following Houthi attacks that affected a key alternative route for Saudi oil exports.
The Saudi-led coalition said it had intercepted six ballistic missiles launched by the Houthi group towards Taif and Yanbu, vowing to deal firmly with the escalation. The group, meanwhile, said it had carried out missile and drone attacks targeting a sensitive site in Riyadh and Aramco facilities in Yanbu.
The Houthis said they had carried out two operations targeting what they described as sensitive sites in Riyadh and Aramco facilities in Yanbu, using ballistic and cruise missiles and drones. Meanwhile, the Saudi-led coalition announced that it had intercepted a missile heading towards the capital and foiled attempts to target other cities, including Yanbu.
The Red Sea International Film Festival Foundation has postponed its sixth edition, scheduled to take place in Jeddah from 3 to 12 December 2026, to the final quarter of 2027, citing timing considerations and logistical requirements, while confirming the continuation of film-support programmes and the launch of a permanent initiative in Historic Jeddah.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure and ships, stressing the need to protect freedom of navigation and uphold international law in maritime passages. He also discussed the Gaza peace plan and the two-state solution, progress in Syria’s transitional phase, and the role of UNIFIL in southern Lebanon.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres strongly condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure and ships, stressing the need to respect navigational rights and freedom in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. His position followed a meeting with the secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, where they discussed threats to regional security and stability.
The Saudi General Directorate of Civil Defence announced that the danger had passed in Jeddah, Taif, Yanbu, AlUla, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Abha following alerts warning of a potential threat. It urged residents to continue following safety guidance, avoid gathering or filming at incident sites or while reports are being handled, and call emergency numbers when needed.
The Arab League condemned the Houthi attack on Taif Governorate and affirmed its solidarity with Saudi Arabia. The statement followed an announcement by Saudi Civil Defence that a Yemeni resident had died and a Saudi woman and Pakistani resident had been injured after fragments from an intercepted and destroyed drone fell, causing material damage to buildings and vehicles.
Eight teams are preparing to compete in the 2026 Gulf Cup, hosted by Jeddah from 23 September to 6 October 2026. The squads announced by Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates feature a mix of young and experienced players, while Salem Al-Dawsari is absent from Saudi Arabia’s squad.
The US State Department approved a potential military sale to Saudi Arabia estimated at $24.3 billion, including 48 F-35 fighter jets, engines, equipment and related services. The deal was referred to Congress as part of the required procedures before moving forward with its implementation.
Saudi Minister of Information Salman Al-Dosari announced the launch of the Lions Riyadh festival, scheduled to take place at the King Abdullah Financial District from 6 to 8 December 2027. The event will bring together marketing executives, creative leaders, agencies, brands and emerging talent in a programme focused on marketing effectiveness and the future of the creative industries.
The UAE affirmed its solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support for measures aimed at protecting its security after the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen announced that Saudi air defences had intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by the Houthis south of Mecca before it entered restricted airspace.
The Saudi-led coalition supporting legitimacy in Yemen said it intercepted a drone that the Houthis had launched toward Mecca before it entered the city’s prohibited airspace on Tuesday evening. The group denied targeting Mecca, saying its operations were directed at oil facilities and military bases, amid Arab and Islamic condemnations of the incident.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced his country's solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support for its efforts to protect the security of the Two Holy Mosques after the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen said Saudi air defenses had intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by the Houthis south of Mecca before it entered prohibited airspace.
The Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen said it had intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by the Houthis before it entered Makkah’s restricted airspace, confirming the operation took place south of the city. An Ansar Allah official, meanwhile, described claims that Makkah was targeted as a previously used allegation.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation declared its solidarity with Saudi Arabia after a drone launched by the Houthi group was intercepted south of Mecca on Tuesday evening. The organisation described targeting holy sites and civilian objects as an act incompatible with Islamic values and international law, affirming its support for Saudi measures to protect the kingdom’s security and sovereignty.
The Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen said ballistic missiles and drones targeted three Saudi cities, injuring 13 civilians, as Saudi Arabia pledged to respond. The attacks coincided with escalating clashes inside Yemen, where the United Nations reported civilian deaths and injuries and the displacement of about 125,000 people since the beginning of September.
Saudi Civil Defense announced that the potential danger had passed in Yanbu, Taif, Jeddah, Abha, Jazan and AlUla after emergency alerts urged residents to follow safety instructions. The warnings came amid an escalation in attacks carried out by the Houthi group against cities and facilities inside the Kingdom.
