Houthis, Iran condemned over new drone attacks on KSA
One civilian injured by shrapnel after Saudi-led coalition intercepts four flying bombs launched from Yemen
Updated 26 October 2020
MOHAMMED AL-KINANI
JEDDAH: Houthi militias and their Iranian backers were condemned on Sunday after the Saudi-led coalition intercepted four explosive-laden drones in two attacks launched from Yemen targeting the south of the Kingdom.
Three of the drones were destroyed early on Saturday and a fourth on Sunday. Shrapnel that fell in Sarat Abidah governorate injured a civilian, and damaged five homes and three vehicles, said civil defense spokesman Capt. Mohammed Abdu Al-Sayed.
Iran was increasing its support to the Houthis to undermine efforts for peace, Dr. Hamdan Al-Shehri, the political analyst and international relations scholar, told Arab News.
“They want the Houthis to sabotage all they can in Saudi Arabia, regardless of whether their target is a populated area, oil facilities or even a sacred place. This adds tension to the area, and that is what Iran is working on.”
Iranians want the Houthis to sabotage all they can in Saudi Arabia, regardless of whether their target is a populated area, oil facilities or even a sacred place. This adds tension to the area, and that is what Iran is working on.
Dr. Hamdan Al-Shehri, political analyst and international relations scholar
Al-Shehri said the situation in Yemen would remain the same unless the legitimate government was returned to Yemen, Security Council Resolution 2216 was put into practice and the Houthi militia were removed.
“Without these things, the Yemen crisis will not end and the whole region will remain in tension.”
The Houthis did not differentiate between military sites and civilian locations, he said.
“Their objective is to damage all places they can reach in Saudi Arabia, and their latest attempts to attack a populated area are nothing new.
“They have also targeted airports and some Aramco oil facilities. If the Aramco attack had not been contained, the damage would have affected the whole Eastern region. They have also attempted to target Makkah, where pilgrims and worshippers were performing their rituals.
“They don’t care. If you look back at what the Revolutionary Guards did at the Grand Mosque, you will realize it is not strange that the Houthis are trying to destroy everything in Saudi Arabia. The strange thing is the silence of the world toward what is happening.”
Soundstorm expands Saudi Arabia’s music scene with talent programs, global collaborations
Young people see music as industry with variety of career paths beyond performing, says general manager of MDLBEAST Foundation
Updated 11 December 2025
Afshan Aziz
RIYADH: MDLBEAST is placing sustainability and the growth of Saudi Arabia’s creative economy at the center of Soundstorm 2025, its annual music festival which is taking place until Dec. 13.
In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Ramadan Alharatani, the CEO of MDLBEAST, said the festival was not just about entertainment, but about creating long-term economic and social value.
He said: “Soundstorm plays a major role in the creative economy by creating jobs, attracting international talent, and giving local artists real opportunities to perform on a large stage.
“We are also investing in long-term programs that support training, production, and creative development beyond the festival weekend.
“This year we are focusing more on accessibility and sustainability. We are improving transportation options, making the site easier to navigate, and introducing better systems for recycling and energy use. Inclusion is also a priority, so we are working on creating spaces and experiences that welcome all types of audiences.”
Looking at the festival’s role in nurturing emerging talent, Alharatani said: “We are continuing to build on programs that help new talent grow.
“Through XP Music Futures, our year-round initiatives under the MDLBEAST Foundation, and partnerships with regional and international labels, we are giving young artists more access to mentorship, training, and performance opportunities.
“We are also supporting new ideas in music tech, sound design, and creative production, so emerging talent can experiment with different forms of expression. These partnerships help us develop the next generation of artists and build a stronger presence in the region.”
Ramadan Alharatani, the CEO of MDLBEAST
This year’s edition of Soundstorm offers audiences more stages, a wider variety of genres, and increased international collaborations.
The festival layout has been redesigned to make it easier for fans to explore areas dedicated to live music, hip-hop, regional talent, and emerging artists, alongside the main stages featuring global performers.
These changes focus on the rapid growth of Saudi Arabia’s music scene, with local audiences embracing diverse genres, and international artists showing greater interest in performing in the Kingdom.
“Soundstorm has always been a place where these worlds meet, but this year that connection is stronger and more visible,” Alharatani said.
Regarding the future and MDLBEAST’S vision, he said: “Our main priority is growth that feels sustainable and meaningful.
“We want to build more cultural experiences, support more local talent, and expand our presence globally without losing our connection to the region. In the next few years we will continue developing our festivals, expanding our live event calendar, increasing our year-round venue offerings, and investing in talent development.
“The goal is to create long-term value for the music and entertainment scene in Saudi Arabia.”
Building on MDLBEAST’S efforts to expand the Kingdom’s creative ecosystem, Nada Alhelabi, general manager of the MDLBEAST Foundation and founder of XP Music Futures, said the foundation was creating professional pathways for emerging talent.
She said: “This year we are expanding XP’s educational and professional programs to give young people clearer pathways into the music industry. We are introducing more workshops, mentoring sessions, and hands-on training across areas such as sound engineering, event production, artist management, and creative business.
“The aim is to help young talent understand how the industry works and how they can build real careers in it. Alongside our XP Music Futures program we have nine initiatives that the MDLBEAST Foundation works on all year round to develop a sustainable music ecosystem in our region.”
Nada Alhelabi, general manager of the MDLBEAST Foundation and founder of XP Music Futures. (Supplied)
She added that the landscape of creative careers in Saudi Arabia had transformed rapidly, with more venues, festivals, and studios creating a growing demand for skilled professionals.
Alhelabi added: “Young people now see music as a real industry with a variety of career paths beyond performing. XP Music Futures provides a space where talent, executives, startups, and educators can connect, giving young creatives access to industry leaders, hands-on learning, and opportunities to network and exchange ideas.”
On the impact of key programs, Alhelabi said: “This year we saw strong progress across all three programs. Hunna continues to support the development of female talent and leaders, and several participants have already stepped into new roles across production, performance, and creative management.
“XPERFORM (has) helped emerging artists grow their audiences and secure new performance opportunities, and a major milestone this year was our new partnership with Shahid.
“As the region’s leading streaming platform, Shahid is now broadcasting XPERFORM, giving our artists wider visibility and bringing their stories to a much larger audience.
“Sound Futures also supported a new wave of music-tech startups, many of which are now testing or launching their ideas in the market.
“Together, these stories show how year-round support can make a real difference and they highlight how XP is helping shape the next generation of creatives.”
