KSA Mission Newsletter April 2017
Read the April edition of Saudi Arabia in Focus, the regular update from the Saudi mission to the EU for updates on
White Paper: Saudi Arabia and Counterterrorism – April 2017
This new report provides a comprehensive overview of the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to combat terrorism. It describes Saudi Arabia’s close cooperation with the international community to fight Daesh (ISIS), Al-Qaeda and their affiliates. And it discusses Saudi Arabia’s programs to counter terror financing and attack the mindset that leads vulnerable people to support terrorism.
Full Paper: Saudi Arabia and the Yemen Conflict – April 2017
The paper is also summarised in a three-page Executive Summary
Yemen has been in a state of political and economic turmoil since the illegal ousting of President Abd-Rabbuh Mansour Hadi in 2015. Two years later, the country finds itself in the midst of a deep humanitarian crisis. There is no doubt that the people of Yemen deserve to live in a nation at peace with itself where they can build a future for themselves and future generations. A peaceful and stable Yemen is also essential for Yemen’s neighbours and the entire global community, to secure the region from terrorism and keep the region safe for international trade and transport.
Saudi Arabia and its GCC allies—with the close cooperation of the United States and European nations—have led an effort to restore the legitimate government of Yemen and negotiate a peaceful solution to the crisis at hand. In a new white paper, Saudi Arabia details the history and hard facts about the crisis in Yemen and offers its comprehensive response to the deplorable state of affairs in the country.
As a high-level international pledging conference for Yemen kicks off in Geneva today, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has pledged a further $150 million (€138 million) towards the $2.1 billion (€1.9 billion) target for the war-torn country. The World Food Organization and the UNICEF are today renewing the call for pledges as, so far this year, Yemen has received only 15 percent of the funds required.
Saudi Arabia is committed to finding a political solution to the ongoing crisis in Yemen and securing the best outcome for the country’s population. The Kingdom’s humanitarian relief projects are driven by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre, or KSRelief for short. Since its inception in 2015, KSRelief has spared no effort to assist those in need across all Yemeni governorates, and has provided aid worth around €548 million to some 26 million Yemeni civilians. The organisation has been able to reach all regions of the country, irrespective of who is in control, and works equally in the north and the south. KSRelief’s work demonstrates impartiality and complies with international humanitarian law.
De maandelijkse nieuwsbrief van de missie van Saoedi-Arabië bij de Europese Unie – maart 2017
Deze uitgave geeft u meer informatie over de Saoedische bijdrage aan een nieuw fonds ter bescherming van cultureel erfgoed bedreigd met vernieling door extremistische groeperingen, de toestand in Jemen en de Saoedische oproep om de vrede in het land te herstellen, een nauwere samenwerking tussen de EU en het Koninkrijk Saoedi Arabië in de strijd tegen het terrorisme en het geslaagde onderhoud tussen vice-kroonprins Mohammed bin Salman en president Trump bij zijn bezoek in Washington.
Saudi Arabia has condemned in the strongest terms the brutal terrorist attack on Stockholm of 7 April 2017. On Friday, an official source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom’s strong condemnation of the truck attack that occurred in the centre of the Swedish and led to the death and injury of a number of people. The ministry source offered condolences to the families of the victims and to the people and government of Sweden, to whom he expressed the kingdom’s solidarity.
The Kingdom’s sentiments were mirrored by member of the Gulf Cooperation Council for Arab States. The GCC Secretary General Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, described the attack as a heinous terrorist crime that is contrary to moral and humanitarian values, stressing the GCC’s solidarity with the Kingdom of Sweden.
The atrocities were also denounced by the Muslims World league’s Secretary General Sheikh Dr Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Isa, who underlined the organisation’s firm stance against terrorism: “Such acts targeting innocent people and the stability and security of safe societies have nothing to do with Islam as they contradict all human and international values and principles.” He offered condolence to the families of the victims, as well as the government and people of Sweden, wishing the injured a quick recovery. Dr Al-Isa called on all world leaders to stand united in confrontation of terrorism and tackle the reasons of such acts which attempt to destabilize the world’s security and stability.
The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation too deplored the attacks, with the OIC Secretary General Dr Yusuf Ahmed Al-Othaimeen expressing the Organisation’s solidarity and support for the Swedish government and people, and stressing that the criminals behind this heinous crime are the most dangerous enemies of humanity.
An official source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s strong condemnation of the bombing attacks that struck Mar Girgis Church, Tanta and St Marks Coptic Orthodox Church, Alexandria killing and wounding tens of people.
The Source emphasised that such heinous and cowardly terrorist attacks that took place in Egypt on Sunday violate all religious principles as well as ethical and human values.
The Source offered the Kingdom’s condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government and people of the Arab Republic of Egypt, wishing a speedy recovery to the wounded.
The Saudi council of Senior Ulema (Muslim Scholars) condemns twin Egypt Church Attacks
The Council of Senior Muslim Scholars released their statement on twitter saying:
ThE bombings that targeted two churches in Egypt are criminal acts and forbidden by Islamic law. Muslims are in agreement that these acts are a violation to the security, stability and safety of people.
A Muslim who believes in God and the Last Day will not commit such crimes. These crimes are committed by those who deviate from their faith.
These acts are forbidden in Islam for they are acts of treachery, betrayal, sin and aggression.
The Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has sent his condolences and sympathy to Egypt’s President Abdulfattah Al-Sisi following the two terrorist bombings that struck churches in the Egyptian cities of Tanta and Alexandria.
In his cable, the Monarch said he was deeply pained to receive the news of the killing and injuring of dozens of innocent citizens. He expressed in the strongest terms his denunciation and condemnation of the two sinful criminal terrorist acts, confirming to the President that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stands alongside the Arab Republic of Egypt and its brotherly people against all those who attempt to threaten its security and stability.
In his own name and on behalf of the people and government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Monarch sent his sincere condolences and sympathy to the President, the families of the victims and the Egyptian people, wishing the injured a quick recovery and the Egyptian President and people safety against any harm.
The Council of Senior Muslim Scholars also released the following statement following the horrific terrorist attack in Egypt.
“The bombings that targeted two churches in Egypt are criminal acts and forbidden by Islamic law. Muslims are in agreement that these acts are a violation to the security, stability and safety of people. A Muslim who believes in God and the Last Day will not commit such crimes. These crimes are committed by those who deviate from their faith. These acts are forbidden in Islam for they are acts of treachery, betrayal, sin and aggression.”
The Coalition Supporting Legitimacy in Yemen called on the United Nations to ensure the free flow of humanitarian shipments through the Port of Hodeidah. Badly needed food and medical supplies are not reaching people who need them, which is exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. The coalition also asserted that Houthi rebels are seizing and selling humanitarian supplies that pass through the port.
The following is the full statement:
“The Coalition is deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Yemen. We are doing everything in our power to ensure that the Yemeni population receives the food and medicines it needs.
“Hodeidah port is an important entry point for humanitarian supplies. But it is currently in the hands of the Houthi rebels, who use it to smuggle arms and people. Houthi rebels also finance their ongoing violent campaign to overthrow the legitimate government by seizing humanitarian supplies and selling them for exorbitant sums.
“We have called on the United Nations to exercise oversight of Hodeidah port to ensure the free flow of humanitarian shipments. Other ports including Aden, Mukalla and other airports are open as routes for humanitarian supplies.”
An official source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s strong support for the military operations carried out by the U.S. on military targets in Syria, which came in response to the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime against innocent civilians that caused the deaths of scores of people, including women and children, and is part of the ongoing horrible crimes committed by this regime over many years against the Syrian brotherly people.
The official source places the responsibility for these military operations squarely on the Syrian regime.
The source praised this courageous decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to respond to the regime’s crimes against its people in light of the failure of the international community to stop the regime from brutalizing its people.
