RIYADH: The Arab coalition said it destroyed an explosive-laden drone launched by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militia toward the Kingdom, Saudi state TV reported on Friday.
The coalition said that the Houthis continue to target the Kingdom with ballistic missiles and armed drones, which are in strict violation of international law.
Meanwhile, the joint forces on Yemen’s western coast said that they had detected eight reconnaissance aircraft launched by the Houthi militia over four separate areas in Hodeidah governorate, as part of its repeated violations of a United Nations truce.
A military source said three aircraft were spotted in the sky above Hays District, two planes over At Tuhayta District, and three aircraft in the Al-Jabaliya and Al-Faza areas in At Tuhayta.
On Thursday, joint forces also detected 94 Houthi violations of the UN armistice on Hodeidah within 12 hours, and five reconnaissance planes flew over At Tuhayta, south of Hodeidah.
The Houthi militia has recently intensified the use of explosive and reconnaissance drones, which a UN committee of experts said earlier was assembled from external components and shipped to Yemen.
The report of the UN experts charged with monitoring the arms embargo imposed on Yemen since 2015 said that the Houthi militia acquired new weapons in 2019, some of which have characteristics similar to those produced in Iran.
The report, which was sent to the Security Council, said that “in addition to the known weapons systems they had so far, (the Houthis) are now using a new type of Delta drones and a new model of land cruise missiles.”
Arab coalition destroys drone launched by Yemen’s Houthis towards Saudi Arabia
https://arab.news/gsj64
Arab coalition destroys drone launched by Yemen’s Houthis towards Saudi Arabia
- Joint forces also detected 8 reconnaissance aircraft launched by the Houthis in Hodeidah
Prince Turki visits nation’s new DarkSky International site
- Naming of Nafud Al-Kabir Desert highlights Kingdom’s standing
- 80% of world’s people live under skies affected by light pollution
JEDDAH: Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz recently toured the Kingdom’s recently named DarkSky International site, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday.
The prince visited the Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve after it was officially recognized last week.
Prince Turki, who is a minister of state and chairman of the reserve’s development authority, was accompanied by Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Muqrin bin Abdulaziz, deputy governor of the Hail region.
During the visit, Prince Turki met with members of the local community, reviewed grazing conditions in the area, and toured historical sites.
The DarkSky designation represents a national achievement that reflects Saudi Arabia’s advanced regional and global environmental standing and its commitment to protecting rare environments, the SPA reported.
Prince Turki said the achievement was made possible by the support of the Kingdom’s leadership in line with the goals of Vision 2030.
He added that the designation of the Nafud Al-Kabir Desert as a DarkSky site highlights the Kingdom’s pioneering approach to international environmental initiatives amid growing global light pollution.
International studies indicate that around 80 percent of the world’s people now live under skies affected by light pollution.
Prince Turki was briefed on the scientific and regulatory efforts undertaken by the authority to reduce light pollution and implement internationally recognized DarkSky management standards.
These efforts aim to preserve the site’s astronomical characteristics, support ecosystem sustainability, and position the area as a hub for astronomical tourism and scientific research, the SPA reported.
The Nafud Al-Kabir Desert is one of the largest accredited sites in the region, covering approximately 13,416 sq. km.
It joins more than 250 protected dark-sky areas worldwide, further strengthening the Kingdom’s position among leading countries in this field.
The Imam Turki bin Abdullah Royal Nature Reserve Development Authority aims to establish the location as a leading environmental destination and center for astronomy tourism, the SPA reported.
There are more than 160,000 sq. km of land protected from light pollution across 22 countries on six continents.
