Saudi US embassy hits back at ‘false accusations’ undermining Kingdom's counter terror efforts

Saudi Arabia has fought and tracked terror groups from Yemen to Syria. (AP/File photo)
Updated 08 August 2019
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Saudi US embassy hits back at ‘false accusations’ undermining Kingdom's counter terror efforts

  • Embassy spokesman Fahad Nazer details in a series of tweets the Kingdom’s fight against violent extremism
  • Response comes after Trump accused of supporting Al-Qaeda by Democratic nominee

LONDON: The Saudi embassy in Washington has hit back at recent allegations leveled against the Kingdom by politicians in the US.

Embassy spokesman Fahad Nazer said the  “worrisome and false accusations” pertained to the Kingdom’s counterterrorism efforts.

To “set the record straight,” Nazer detailed in a series of tweets the Kingdom’s fight against violent extremism. 

Saudi Arabia is one of the primary targets of ISIS (Daesh) and Al-Qaeda, Nazer said Wednesday. “The Kingdom has confronted this threat head on and declared war against both terror groups.”

He said Saudi Arabia has hunted terrorist leaders, cut off their funding and worked to discredit their ideology.

“Several senior US counterterrorism officials, who have served in both Republican and Democratic administrations, have praised Saudi Arabia’s counterterrorism campaign and its intelligence-sharing with the US,” Nazer added. 

The embassy’s comments come after Donald Trump last week slammed Tulsi Gabbard, a Democratic nominee for the presidential election, for accusing him of supporting Al-Qaeda through his strong relationship with Saudi Arabia.

Her comments during a presidential debate were widely condemned and Trump said the representative “doesn’t know what she’s talking about.”


Syrian foreign minister congratulates Saudi counterpart on Founding Day

Updated 24 February 2026
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Syrian foreign minister congratulates Saudi counterpart on Founding Day

  • Asaad Al-Shaibani and Prince Faisal bin Farhan also discuss developments in Syria and the wider region, as well as bilateral cooperation
  • This year’s Founding Day marked the 299th anniversary of the establishment of the First Saudi State

RIYADH: Syria’s foreign minister, Asaad Al-Shaibani, on Monday congratulated his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, on Founding Day, which this year marked the 299th anniversary of the establishment of the First Saudi State.

During their telephone conversation the ministers also discussed the latest developments in Syria and the wider region, along with ways in which they might strengthen bilateral relations, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Prince Faisal reaffirmed the Kingdom’s support for Syria’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, and highlighted the need for regional stability and security, the Syrian Arab News Agency said.

Founding Day, which was introduced in 2022, is celebrated each year on Feb. 22 and marks the founding of the First Saudi State in 1727.