Saudi Arabia rescues injured crewman from ‘hostile’ Iranian ship off the coast of Yemen
The crew member was airlifted from the Iranian-registered Saviz
Medical assistance was provided to the wounded man by a coalition team.
Updated 04 June 2019
Arab News
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia rescued on Tuesday an injured crew member from a “hostile” Iranian ship off the coast of Yemen.
The crew member was airlifted from the Iranian-registered Saviz, which was more than 170 kilometers northwest of the port of Hodeidah, the Arab coalition fighting to restore the government of Yemen, said.
The ship is registered as a commercial cargo vessel, but coalition spokesman Col. Turki Al-Malki, said the Saviz serves as a military vessel.
Al-Malki said the assistance was provided “despite the threat represented by this suspect vessel … the hostile acts it carries out against coalition forces and the interests of the Yemeni people and its continued threats to maritime lanes and global trade on the Red Sea.”
The Saudi rescuers were despatched after a distress call from the ship was received by coordination teams in the Kingdom and passed on to the Center for Coordination of Search and Rescue in Jeddah.
Al-Maliki said Saudi Arabia also received a formal request from the Iranian charge d’affaires to the United Nations for assistance.
“The crew member had sustained a serious injury and his health had deteriorated,” the coalition said.
Col. Al-Maliki said a coalition naval ship nearby was directed to the Saviz.
Medical assistance was provided to the wounded man by a coalition team.
He was then taken by hospital to a military hospital in Jazan at 6:30 p.m. local time (3:20 p.m. GMT).
Makkah’s urban shift enhances city’s quality of life
By harmonizing religious heritage with modern urban development, Makkah proves that a city can honor its past while embracing the future
Updated 18 min 25 sec ago
Arab News
MAKKAH: Islam’s holiest city is at present witnessing a qualitative urban shift, one that seamlessly blends its spiritual sanctity with a modern, vibrant lifestyle.
By integrating cultural, educational, and entertainment initiatives, Makkah is redefining the visitor experience and significantly enhancing the quality of life for its residents, directly supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
The city’s transformation was recently highlighted by the success of the Makkah winter season. The event attracted approximately 400,000 visitors — more than 60 percent of whom were locals — demonstrating a strong domestic demand for high-quality public spaces. The season revitalized community interaction, driving a 35 per cent increase in visits to recreational sites and creating more than 1,200 temporary jobs for the local workforce.
Central to this urban renaissance is the Hira Cultural District. Since opening doors in January 2023 near the historic Mount Hira, the district has become a definitive landmark that bridges Islamic history with contemporary identity.
Far from being a static monument, the district has cultivated a thriving creative economy. Its craftsmanship program, which features over 100 artisans, has generated up to SR3 million ($800,269) in sales and attracted 130,000 visitors to live workshops. These interactive spaces allow visitors to engage directly with the region’s heritage, moving beyond passive observation to active participation.
Makkah’s Hira Cultural District has become a definitive landmark that bridges Islamic history with contemporary identity. (SPA photo)
A living legacy
The shift extends to Makkah’s broader ecosystem of museums and cultural sites, which are now positioned as key pillars of cultural tourism. Facilities such as the Revelation Exhibition use cutting-edge technology and multilingual content to narrate the story of the Holy Quran’s revelation, offering an immersive experience that complements the spiritual journey of pilgrims.
These efforts align with the “Makkah: A Living Legacy” campaign, which seeks to document the city’s historical narrative and preserve its collective memory. Recent months have featured a surge in educational workshops for university students and tour guides, ensuring that the human element of Makkah’s history is conveyed with accuracy and depth.
City’s transformation recently highlighted by the success of the Makkah winter season. (SPA photo)
Economic and social impact
The results of this integrated approach are tangible. Specialized museums and restored historic sites now attract up to 1.6 million visitors a year. This cultural enrichment is encouraging pilgrims to linger longer, increasing the average duration of stay by 18 percent.
By harmonizing its religious heritage with modern urban development, Makkah is proving that a city can honor its past while embracing the future, offering a holistic experience that nourishes the soul and the community.
