Coalition intercepts Houthi drone launched towards Khamis Mushait

A Houthi militant holds his a weapon during a gathering aimed at mobilizing more fighters for the Houthi movement, in Sanaa, Yemen. (AP file photo)
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Updated 20 March 2021
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Coalition intercepts Houthi drone launched towards Khamis Mushait

DUBAI: The Arab Coalition said Saturday that it it had intercepted and destroyed an explosive-laden drone launched by the Houthi militia towards the city of Khamis Mushait in Saudi Arabia.

The coalition said it was taking “all necessary operational measures to protect civilians against terrorist assaults,” Saudi Press Agency said. 

The UAE and Bahrain condemned the Houthi attempt to attack the south western city on Saturday. 

The Iran-backed militia group on Friday said it targeted an oil refinery in the Saudi capital of Riyadh. The Kingdom's energy ministry said the attack caused a fire but was brought under control.

Meanwhile, Russia said Saturday it strongly condemned the drone strike on the oil refinery in Riyadh, and urged all parties to halt the violence.

The European Union also condemned the Houthi attack on the refinery in another statement.  


Saudi minister launches nationwide preventive health screening campaign 

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Saudi minister launches nationwide preventive health screening campaign 

  • Fahad AlJalajel announces 10 vital services
  • Tests for blood pressure and many cancers

RIYADH: Minister of Health Fahad AlJalajel recently launched the government’s Taakkad campaign across the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.

The initiative, led by the Health Holding Co. and its affiliated clusters, provides 10 essential preventive tests to help diagnose and treat diseases proactively. 

The launch coincided with AlJalajel’s inspection of the Taakkad Center in Riyadh, which offers periodic health screenings through an innovative drive-through model. 

AlJalajel reviewed the preventive screening pathways and delivery mechanisms, designed to ensure speed, accuracy and high quality, reinforcing prevention before treatment and facilitating access to healthcare.

Taakkad services include checks and screening for blood pressure, obesity, colorectal cancer and breast cancer, the SPA reported. 

The center highlights the Kingdom’s advanced and integrated preventive care, in line with the Health Sector Transformation Program to enhance service efficiency and accessibility, the SPA reported. 

In a post on his X account, the minister wrote: “Today I had the pleasure of launching the Taakkad campaign at the Taakkad Center in Riyadh — the first step in a nationwide rollout. 

“The program offers 10 essential preventive screenings through primary healthcare centers, bringing services closer to people and placing prevention at the heart of our health system, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.” 

“I also met with a group of journalists and writers at the Riyadh center,” he added.  

“We had a rich conversation about the value of preventive screenings, health awareness, the state of the sector, and how the media can help embed a prevention-first culture across society.”