Gunmen have killed a diplomat from Saudi Arabia in the Yemeni capital, Sana’a. Yemeni security officials and diplomatic sources say attackers wearing security force uniforms shot at the Saudi diplomat’s car Wednesday, killing him and his bodyguard. Yemen has suffered several security problems. Al-Qaida-linked militants have carried out suicide bombings and other attacks targeting officials, […]
Pentagon Plans to Sell $6.7 Billion in Aircraft to Saudi Arabia
Posted November 9th, 2012 at 7:50 pm (UTC-5)
The Pentagon has announced plans to sell $6.7 billion in military aircraft and other equipment to Saudi Arabia. The sale would include 20 C-130 cargo planes and five refueling aircraft. The Pentagon says Saudi Arabia requested the planes. Officials say the sale would contribute to U.S. national security by helping improve the security of a […]
Muslims Gather in Mecca for Haj
Posted October 23rd, 2012 at 6:55 am (UTC-5)
Muslim pilgrims are gathering in the Saudi city of Mecca for Islam’s annual pilgrimage, which begins Wednesday. Able Muslims are required to perform the arduous and expensive pilgrimage to Mecca, known as the Hajj, at least once in their lifetime. Saudi authorities are warning they will stop any disruptive protests over the conflict in Syria. […]
Ethiopians Report Dire Conditions in Saudi Jails
Posted June 21st, 2012 at 1:25 pm (UTC-5)
Ethiopians in Saudi Arabia say about 1,700 of their countrymen are being held in dire conditions at prisons in the Saudi city of Jazan. VOA’s Horn of Africa Service spoke by phone to four of the prisoners this week. The prisoners said they lack sufficient food, water and medical treatment, and that eight Ethiopian inmates […]
Saudi Arabia’s Heir to Throne Dies
Posted June 16th, 2012 at 5:50 pm (UTC-5)
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz al-Saud died Saturday, eight months after becoming heir to the throne. He was in his late 70s. A statement carried by state media said Prince Nayef “died outside” Saudi Arabia. News reports said he died in the Swiss city of Geneva, where he recently traveled to seek treatment […]
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Dies
Posted June 16th, 2012 at 12:15 pm (UTC-5)
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz al-Saud has died. He was in his late 70s. State media reports say Prince Nayef, the long-time interior minister who was next in line to the Saudi throne, died on Saturday. News reports say he died in Geneva. He recently traveled to the Swiss city to seek treatment […]
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Dies
Posted June 16th, 2012 at 7:15 am (UTC-5)
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz al-Saud has died. He was in his late 70’s. State media reports on Saturday say Prince Nayef died while abroad. He recently traveled to Europe for medical treatment. The news reports say he will be buried on Sunday but did not provide additional details about his illness or […]
Al-Qaida Claims Kidnapping of Saudi Diplomat in Yemen, Makes Demands
Posted April 17th, 2012 at 11:05 pm (UTC-5)
Saudi Arabia says al-Qaida has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of a Saudi diplomat in Yemen last month and threatened to kill the man unless the kingdom releases detained militants. Saudi officials said Tuesday the terrorist network’s regional affiliate, al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, claimed the kidnapping in a phone call to the Saudi Embassy […]
Al-Qaida Claims Kidnapping of Saudi Diplomat in Yemen, Makes Demands
Posted April 17th, 2012 at 8:40 pm (UTC-5)
Saudi Arabia says al-Qaida has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of a Saudi diplomat in Yemen last month and threatened to kill the man unless the kingdom releases detained militants. Saudi officials said Tuesday the terrorist network’s regional affiliate, al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, claimed the kidnapping in a phone call to the Saudi Embassy […]
Saudi Diplomat Killed in Bangladesh
Posted March 6th, 2012 at 10:40 am (UTC-5)
Bangladeshi authorities say an unknown gunman killed a Saudi diplomat early Tuesday in the streets of the country’s capital, Dhaka. Police say they found Khalaf al-Ali, an official with Saudi Arabia’s embassy in Dakha, after he was shot in the chest near his home in the Gulshan neighborhood. He was taken to the hospital, where […]
