Arab coalition intercepts Houthi drone targeting Saudi Arabia’s Khamis Mushayt

Arab coalition spokesman Brig. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki. (File/AFP)
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Updated 08 October 2021
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Arab coalition intercepts Houthi drone targeting Saudi Arabia’s Khamis Mushayt

  • The coalition is taking operational measures to protect civilians and objects from hostile attempts
  • The OIC strongly condemned the attempt to target the Kingdom

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s air defenses intercepted and destroyed an explosive-laden drone launched by Yemen’s Houthi militia toward southern Saudi Arabia, state TV reported on Sunday.
The coalition said the drone was targeting the southwestern city of Khamis Mushayt, adding that the Iran-backed group continues its attempts to target civilians.
“We are taking operational measures to protect civilians and civilian objects,” the coalition added in a statement.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) strongly condemned the Houthis’ failed attempt to target innocent civilians in Khamis Mushayt with a booby-trapped drone. 
Secretary-General Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen said the OIC also condemned the terrorist practices committed by the militia and those who support, finance and provide it with weapons.
Al-Othaimeen reiterated the OIC’s support for all measures taken by the Kingdom to preserve its security and stability and the safety of citizens and residents.
The UAE and Bahrain also strongly denounced the attack and affirmed their full solidarity with Saudi Arabia.


Saudi Arabia to hold Human Capability Initiative conference in Riyadh in May

Updated 12 February 2026
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Saudi Arabia to hold Human Capability Initiative conference in Riyadh in May

  • HCI 2026 set to attract over 15,000 leaders, 250 speakers, including policymakers, industry leaders, experts from various sectors
  • Program to focus on optimizing learning, working environments to maximize human capability in age of AI

LONDON: Saudi Arabia’s Human Capability Development Program has announced the third edition of the Human Capability Initiative conference, featuring the UK as the country of honor.

The HCI will be held under the patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh, from May 3-4.

HCI 2026 is set to attract over 15,000 leaders and feature 250 speakers, including policymakers, industry leaders, and experts from various sectors.

Under the theme “The Human Code,” the program will focus on optimizing learning and working environments to maximize human capability in the age of artificial intelligence.

Yousef bin Abdullah Al-Benyan, Saudi Arabia's minister of education and chairman of the Executive Committee of the HCDP, said the conference would showcase the Kingdom’s commitment to investing in people for sustainable economic growth and to enriching a global dialogue.

He added: “Human potential remains the most critical driver of progress in a rapidly changing global landscape, and investing in humans is the most critical pillar in building a competitive economy and a knowledge-based society.”

Majid Al-Kassabi, the Saudi minister of commerce and chairman of the Economic and Social Committee of the Saudi-British Strategic Partnership Council, welcomed the UK as the conference’s country of honor.

He said: “(This) represents a continuation of the strategic cooperation between (Saudi Arabia and the UK), including the launch of the Skills of the Future initiative at the 2025 HCI conference, focused on advancing economic cooperation, educational exchange, and workforce development.”

The last two HCI conferences attracted over 23,000 participants, featured 550 speakers, and announced 156 partnerships, organizers said.

The HCDP aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, focusing on enhancing citizens’ potential and competitiveness, they added.