Terrorist detonates suicide vest as Saudi security forces try to make arrest 

Abdullah bin Zayed Abdulrahman Al-Bakri Al-Shehri has been listed as a wanted person by authorities in the Kingdom for the past seven years. (Supplied)
Short Url
Updated 12 August 2022
Follow

Terrorist detonates suicide vest as Saudi security forces try to make arrest 

  • Abdullah bin Zayed Abdulrahman Al-Bakri Al-Shehri was listed as a wanted person by Saudi authorities

JEDDAH: The list of the nine wanted individuals involved in a terrorist operation that targeted a mosque for Saudi Arabia’s special emergency forces in the southwestern Asir region in 2015 has been reduced, after the Presidency of State Security announced the killing of Abdullah Al-Shehri, who has been number four on a wanted list.
The man detonated a suicide vest he was wearing when security forces attempted to arrest him in Jeddah on Friday.
The spokesman for the Presidency of State Security said that in addition to the statement issued in February 2016 regarding the announcement of a list of the nine wanted persons for the security authorities, and as an extension of the existing security follow-up, the authority was able to track down the number four on the wanted list, Abdullah bin Zayed Abdulrahman Al-Bakri Al-Shehri, during a security operation.
He had been approached by security personnel at 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday in the Al-Samer neighborhood in Jeddah. He died at the scene and a Pakistani resident and three security men with various injuries were taken to hospital to receive the necessary treatment.
Al-Shehri has been listed as a wanted person by authorities in the Kingdom for the past seven years, according to the statement. 
Security forces had tracked down the location of the terrorist and launched an operation to arrest him when he set off his suicide vest. 

With this announcement, only one wanted person remained from the announced list, Majid bin Zayed Al-Bakri Al-Shehri, who has been in hiding so far. The list included:
1. Saeed Aaidh Al-Dair Al-Shahrani, who was killed during a raid in Makkah in May 2016.
2. Taya Salem Eslam Al-Saiari was killed in a raid on his house in the Al-Yasmeen neighborhood in Riyadh in 2017.
3. Mutee Salem Islaam Al-Saiari was killed by a terrorist organization and it is believed that Taya’s sister beheaded him in a house in Al-Harazat neighborhood in Jeddah following orders from Daesh leaders after they doubted his intention to surrender to the security authorities in November 2016.
4. Abdulaziz Ahmed Mohammed Al-Bakri Al-Shehri was killed during a siege with another wanted man in the Barah area in Bisha governorate in April 2016.
5. Aqab Moajab Fazaan Al-Otaibi, who was arrested in Bisha in May 2016.
6. Mohammed Suleiman Rahyan Al-Saqri Al-Anzi was killed in a raid in Wadi Numan in Makkah in May 2016.
7. Mubarak Abdullah Fahad Al-Dosari was killed in a raid in Wadi Numan in Makkah in May 2016
8. Majid bin Zayed Al-Bakri Al-Shehri is still in hiding.
The nine terrorists affiliated with Daesh were involved in a terrorist attack that targeted worshipers at the Special Emergency Forces Command Mosque in Asir on Aug. 6, which killed 11 security officials and four Bangladeshi workers on the site, while 33 other people were injured.
The Presidency of State Security said the operation confirms the Kingdom’s determination to crack down on terrorists and ensure the safety of all citizens and residents. 


Al-Aan Palace: a lofty landmark of Najran’s heritage

Updated 01 June 2024
Follow

Al-Aan Palace: a lofty landmark of Najran’s heritage

  • Constructed in 1688 using traditional practices that incorporated the use of mud and natural resources

RIYADH: Najran’s ancient citadel, Al-Aan Palace, is a landmark of Najrani architecture and heritage. With its unique design, the structure has become a magnet for tourists visiting the southern region to explore its history and culture.

Najran, in the southwest of Saudi Arabia, is a region known for its vibrant culture and rich history. Surrounded by the Sarawat Mountains, it stands out for its mudbrick architecture, winding streets and bustling souks.

Al-Aan Palace — also known as Saadan Palace, because it is situated in the village of Saadan — was built in the 1600s on top of Al-Aan Mountain, and its inhabitants would have enjoyed a mesmerizing view of the surrounding landscape.

Saudi architect Khalid Al-Ojyan, from the Royal Commission of Riyadh City, told Arab News about the concept behind the palace and how it was built.

“Al-Aan Palace is a heritage landmark in Saudi Arabia,” he said. “(It) was built in 1100 AH (1688) by Shaikh Mohammad Ismail and HibatuAllah Al-Makrami, the governors of the region.”

Najani architecture was heavily influenced by the natural materials available, Al-Ojyan said. The mixture of rocks and mud created mudbricks, which have been commonly used in the region for centuries.

The palace was largely constructed using these mudbricks, although other natural materials also feature. For example, the ceilings showcase the intricate use of natural materials such as wood from palm tree trunks as well as tamarisk and sidr trees, along with palm fronds, highlighting the region’s reliance on its natural resources and the craftsmanship of its builders.

The circular and rectangular towers surrounding the palace were likely added for strategic defense purposes, Al-Ojyan said.

He highlighted the shape and size of the palace windows, which were also designed to provide protection. On each of the palace’s four stories, the window size increases. The lower levels of the building were designed with smaller windows to protect against intruders.

The palace was renovated by the Saudi Heritage Commission five years ago, both externally and internally, the architect added.

The palace’s architectural features — the mudbrick construction, the use of other natural materials, and its defensive features — all contribute to the experience that Al-Aan Palace provides for visitors while showcasing the culture, heritage, and ingenious building practices of Najran.


Saudi ambassador receives UN’s terror prevention head in Vienna

Updated 01 June 2024
Follow

Saudi ambassador receives UN’s terror prevention head in Vienna

Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Austria and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization Dr. Abdullah bin Khalid Tawlah received Roberto Arbitrio, chief of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s terrorism prevention branch, in Vienna recently.

During the meeting the two men discussed the possibilities of future cooperation between the Kingdom and the UNODC.

Tawlah also met with Doaa Hassan Mirah, the general manager of training and tourism programs at the Saudi Ministry of Tourism, during her visit to Austria.


Who’s Who: Feras Nasrallah, director-general at Saudi Export-Import Bank

Updated 01 June 2024
Follow

Who’s Who: Feras Nasrallah, director-general at Saudi Export-Import Bank

Feras Nasrallah is director-general of business enablement and studies at Saudi Export-Import Bank.

He began his tenure at Saudi Exim in January 2021 as a member of the founding team, contributing to the bank’s establishment and operational setup.

As a senior executive adviser, he played a crucial part in forming strategic partnerships, developing governance frameworks, and launching financial products and services that aligned with market demands and the bank’s strategic goals.

In his current role, Nasrallah leads several functions, including business development, enhancing Saudi Exim’s global presence by managing client relationships, and sourcing new leads with local and international financial institutions, as well as domestic and foreign business entities.

He is also involved in financial restructuring to provide solutions for clients facing financial challenges, economic advisory and market research, and other non-financial services.

Nasrallah is a seasoned financial executive with 13 years of experience spanning project finance, trade finance, and international trade.

His understanding of export-import dynamics and strategic financial management has positioned him as a valuable contributor to advancing economic development and fostering international collaborations.

Nasrallah’s career began at Saudi Industrial Development Fund as an assistant credit analyst. He then moved on to the role of team leader, managing a range of credit portfolios, conducting in-depth loan evaluations, and recommending strategic credit decisions.

As head of the specialized lending division, he leveraged the Saudi fund’s track record and expertise to support credit initiatives for programs related to Saudi Vision 2030.

Nasrallah has extensive experience in project and trade finance, managing credit for SME clients and large-scale infrastructure projects.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus on finance from Marquette University in the US. He has also completed professional training programs in credit analysis, leadership, and strategic management at institutions such as the London Business School and J.P. Morgan Chase.


Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli attempts to undermine UNRWA efforts

Updated 01 June 2024
Follow

Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli attempts to undermine UNRWA efforts

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Saturday condemned attempts by Israeli authorities to undermine efforts of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees by labelling it a terrorist organization.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Israeli criticism of UNRWA seeks to strip “immunity from employees who are doing their duty to alleviate the severity of the humanitarian catastrophe that the Palestinian people are going through.”
The ministry said that Israel must abide by international law and stop obstructing the work of international organizations.
On Friday, UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini called on Israel to stop its campaign against the organization, saying: “Israeli officials are not only threatening the work of our staff and mission, they are also delegitimising UNRWA by effectively characterising it as a terrorist organization that fosters extremism and labelling UN leaders as terrorists who collude with Hamas.”
UNRWA, which coordinates nearly all aid to Gaza, has been in crisis since January, when Israel accused about a dozen of its 13,000 Gaza employees of being involved in the Oct. 7 attack.
(With AFP)


Saudi Red Crescent supplying 10,000 medical kits for ambulances during Hajj

Updated 01 June 2024
Follow

Saudi Red Crescent supplying 10,000 medical kits for ambulances during Hajj

  • SRCA's Medical Supply Unit will provide more than 10 million medical consumables

RIYADH: The Saudi Red Crescent Authority will supply more than 10,000 medical kits to ambulances participating in this year’s Hajj, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday. 

As part of these kits, the SRCA’s Medical Supply Unit will provide more than 10 million medical consumables, items that are used by doctors, nurses and emergency medical personnel to treat patients. 

It also confirmed that it has a reserve of approximately 5 million medical items at supply points for as and when required.

The kits can cater for 20-30 standard emergency cases and 15-20 acute and critical cases each, the SPA added.

Additionally, each ambulance will be equipped with basic materials including shock devices, an oxygen cylinder, a vital-sign monitoring device, suction devices, liquids, and limb immobilization devices.

Earlier this week, the SRCA said it would deploy 2,540 medical professionals, ambulance technicians and administrative staff across nearly 100 ambulance centers ahead of Hajj 2024.