Islamic coalition advances military exercises in Gabon

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The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition is implementing its strategic military initiative, Competence, in Libreville, Gabon. (SPA)
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The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition is implementing its strategic military initiative, Competence, in Libreville, Gabon. (SPA)
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The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition is implementing its strategic military initiative, Competence, in Libreville, Gabon. (SPA)
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Updated 05 November 2025
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Islamic coalition advances military exercises in Gabon

  • Program includes intensive field training, tactical drills and live-fire exercises for special operations forces as part of the second phase of its military training effort
  • Phase focuses on enhancing special forces’ capabilities to counter terrorist threats through practical exercises simulating real combat scenarios

RIYADH: The Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition is implementing its strategic military initiative, “Competence,” in Libreville, Gabon.

The program includes intensive field training, tactical drills and live-fire exercises for special operations forces as part of the second phase of its military training effort, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.

This phase focuses on enhancing special forces’ capabilities to counter terrorist threats through practical exercises simulating real combat scenarios.

Training activities cover raids, maneuvering across varied terrains, responding to ambushes and hostage situations, and live-fire drills against moving and stationary targets.

The initiative is one of 15 strategic programs launched by the coalition to promote expertise transfer, knowledge exchange, and a unified training system that strengthens regional and international security.

Last month, the coalition hosted a seminar in the Maldives titled “Manifestations of Ideological Extremism in the Educational Environment,” as part of its prevention initiative focused on intellectual awareness.

The event aimed to strengthen intellectual resilience among educators and communities and prevent the spread of extremist and deviant ideas in educational settings.

It was part of the coalition’s broader efforts to bolster ideological prevention systems in member states by helping educators identify early signs of extremism, address its roots, and promote moderation and tolerance in schools and communities.


Saudi Arabia protects rare marine ecosystems with 2 new reserves

Updated 12 November 2025
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Saudi Arabia protects rare marine ecosystems with 2 new reserves

  • Aim to protect 30% of Saudi by 2030
  • Unique biodiversity and tourism value

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Council of Ministers has included the Ras Hatiba and Blue Holes marine areas on the Kingdom’s national list of reserves, the Saudi Press Agency reported recently.

The move reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to protecting biodiversity and advancing sustainable development goals under Vision 2030, the SPA reported.

Mohammed Qurban, CEO of the National Center for Wildlife, said the decision followed extensive biological, natural, and social studies confirming the two reserves’ unique biodiversity, and economic and tourism value.

Located northwest of Jeddah, Ras Hatiba covers 5,715 sq. km and features coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds — key habitats for green turtles, dugongs, whales, dolphins, and sharks.

The Blue Holes areas are rich in marine life, including turtles, fish, mammals, and invertebrates. Their discovery was first announced in 2022 after 20 such formations were found along the southern Red Sea coast.

With the addition of these two protected areas, the Kingdom’s nature reserves now cover 16.1 percent of its territory, up from 6.5 percent, and moving closer to the national goal of 30 percent by 2030.