Saudi Arabia’s defenses thwart new Houthi attacks

Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed a hostile aerial target launched toward the Saudi city of Taif. (File/AFP)
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Updated 04 January 2022
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Saudi Arabia’s defenses thwart new Houthi attacks

  • The Kingdom’s defenses intercepted and destroyed a number of drones and a ‘hostile aerial target’
  • Arab coalition kills more than 230 Houthis in airstrikes on Marib and Shabwa in Yemen

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia's defenses on Monday thwarted a number of Houthi attempts to target the Kingdom, the Arab coalition said.
The Kingdom’s defenses intercepted and destroyed five drones that the coalition said it had been monitoring and were launched from the Yemeni capital Sanaa.
“Operational options are on the table in response to the threat and to deter the hostile behavior of the Houthi militia,” the coalition said.

Earlier on Monday, the Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense said air defenses intercepted and destroyed a “hostile aerial target” launched toward the city of Taif.
“The aerial threat was launched by the Houthi militia from inside Yemen,” the ministry said, adding: “We are taking deterrent operational measures to neutralize the threat and protect civilians.”
The Houthi militia have been launching near daily cross border attacks on the Kingdom’s southern region.
On Sunday, the coalition said three drones were intercepted and downed as they were headed for populated areas in Najran.
On Monday, the coalition also released footage of it intercepting and destroying the three drones launched by the Houthi militia toward Saudi Arabia’s southern region a day earlier.
Meanwhile, the Arab coalition said it had killed more than 97 Houthi fighters in airstrikes on Yemen’s Marib province in the past 24 hours.
The coalition added that it had carried out 12 operations targeting the Iran-backed Houthi militia in the energy-rich governorate and also destroyed five military vehicles.
It also said that it carried out 23 targeting operations in Shabwa, killing more than 133 militants and destroying 15 military vehicles.


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.