Saudi Arabia Archives - Kaab TV https://en.kaabtv.com/tag/saudi-arabia/ Somalia and Somaliland Daily News Update Sun, 18 Oct 2026 07:57:27 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.3 https://en.kaabtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/fav-icon.png Saudi Arabia Archives - Kaab TV https://en.kaabtv.com/tag/saudi-arabia/ 32 32 Egypt Requests Parliamentary Authorization to Support Saudi Arabia if Requested https://en.kaabtv.com/egypt-requests-parliamentary-authorization-to-support-saudi-arabia-if-requested/ Sun, 18 Oct 2026 07:57:27 +0000 https://en.kaabtv.com/?p=22641 Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is reportedly planning to address parliament regarding the possibility of providing support to Saudi Arabia, should the country request assistance against Houthi attacks originating from Yemen. This move, if confirmed, could indicate that the ongoing crisis in Yemen may impact regional security alliances, particularly between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, who […]

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]]> Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is reportedly planning to address parliament regarding the possibility of providing support to Saudi Arabia, should the country request assistance against Houthi attacks originating from Yemen.

This move, if confirmed, could indicate that the ongoing crisis in Yemen may impact regional security alliances, particularly between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, who have long collaborated on regional security and stability.

In 2015, Egypt joined the Saudi-led military coalition that intervened in Yemen.

Cairo’s role has primarily been linked to safeguarding Red Sea security and critical maritime trade routes, although it was part of the coalition’s broader military effort.

Tensions escalated after the Houthis intensified attacks targeting key Saudi infrastructure, including airports and energy facilities.

An attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh reportedly resulted in 13 deaths and over 300 injuries, according to reports published on October 10, 2026.

President al-Sisi stated that Egypt stands ready to take action to defend Saudi Arabia if a formal request is submitted.

He further clarified that the objective is not to attack another nation, but rather to provide defensive support.

Consequently, parliamentary authorization and a formal request from Saudi Arabia would be prerequisite conditions for any military action undertaken.

Meanwhile, the Houthis stated that Saudi airstrikes targeting areas under their control have resulted in civilian casualties and injuries.

These mutual accusations and escalating strikes heighten concerns that the conflict in Yemen could expand into a broader regional confrontation involving additional states.

If Egypt secures parliamentary authorization to extend military support to Saudi Arabia, it could expand Cairo’s footprint in regional security architecture.

The Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait remain critical conduits for global commerce and maritime energy transport, making maritime security in these waters a matter of widespread geopolitical consequence.

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]]> Saudi Arabia Accuses Houthis of Attack on Power Station in Medina https://en.kaabtv.com/saudi-arabia-accuses-houthis-of-attack-on-power-station-in-medina/ Fri, 02 Oct 2026 07:46:32 +0000 https://en.kaabtv.com/?p=22212 The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen has accused the Houthi movement of carrying out a drone attack on the Taibah electricity distribution station in Medina, which supplies power to the Prophet’s Mosque. According to Major General Turki Al-Maliki, the coalition’s spokesperson, the strike took place at 5:11 AM on September 29, 2026, disabling a power transformer […]

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]]> The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen has accused the Houthi movement of carrying out a drone attack on the Taibah electricity distribution station in Medina, which supplies power to the Prophet’s Mosque.

According to Major General Turki Al-Maliki, the coalition’s spokesperson, the strike took place at 5:11 AM on September 29, 2026, disabling a power transformer but leaving the broader municipal electrical network unaffected.

Coalition officials stated that wreckage and operational evaluations confirmed Houthi responsibility, condemning the strike as a dangerous escalation targeting civilian infrastructure near Islam’s holy sites.

Houthi officials rejected the allegations, dismissing Riyadh’s claims as fabrications intended to deflect from prior military and operational issues.

Responsibility for the attack remains a matter of contention between Saudi allegations and Houthi denials, as independent verification confirming the exact perpetrator is unavailable.

The Taibah electricity station is a crucial component of Medina’s municipal infrastructure.

The Saudi-led coalition noted that the facility provides power linked to the Prophet’s Mosque.

Major General Al-Maliki stressed that targeting a civilian installation servicing one of Islam’s holiest sites forms part of what Riyadh characterizes as ongoing attempts to threaten Mecca and Medina.

Saudi authorities reiterated that security forces will maintain active countermeasures to safeguard both holy cities and visitors.

This incident unfolds amid a sharp upswing in friction between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi movement.

Reuters reports that the escalation marks one of the most severe spikes between the two sides since the UN-brokered truce of 2022 significantly curtailed cross-border strikes.

In recent weeks, Saudi authorities have blamed the Houthis for multiple drone and missile attempts targeting the kingdom and vital assets, whereas Houthi leadership maintains that their military actions are intended to exert pressure on Riyadh and its allies in the Yemen conflict.

The regional security fallout has extended directly into civil aviation.

On September 30, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued a conflict zone warning advising commercial carriers regarding safety risks within parts of Saudi airspace, directly citing the uptick in Houthi drone and missile activity.

The prolonged conflict in Yemen remains one of the most volatile geopolitical flashpoints in the Middle East.

Saudi Arabia backs Yemen’s internationally recognized government, while the Houthi movement maintains firm control over large parts of the country’s north, including the capital city of Sanaa.

Over recent years, Houthi military actions have frequently targeted strategic infrastructure within Saudi Arabia as well as commercial and naval shipping lanes across the Red Sea.

In response, Riyadh has continually executed aerial and defensive countermeasures to neutralize perceived threats.

This latest escalation around Medina has intensified international anxiety regarding the cross-border spillover of the Yemeni conflict, particularly as critical civilian and municipal infrastructure becomes directly embroiled in active hostilities.

Major General Turki Al-Maliki reiterated that the kingdom will maintain aggressive defensive postures to safeguard the Two Holy Mosques and protect civilian populations and pilgrims.

While the direct intent behind the strike remains contested—with Houthi leadership denying responsibility and dismissing the allegations—the incident highlights the fragile security architecture governing the region.

Sustained military friction between Riyadh and the Houthis threatens not only bilateral stability but also broader commercial maritime security across the Red Sea corridor and the wider Middle East.

To date, the officially verified facts confirm that the Taibah power station in Medina was struck on September 29, resulting in the failure of a single transformer while leaving the broader municipal electrical grid unaffected.

The Saudi-led coalition has blamed the Houthi movement for the attack, an accusation that Houthi leadership categorically rejects.

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]]> Somalia at the Center of Regional and Global Power Competition https://en.kaabtv.com/somalia-at-the-center-of-regional-and-global-power-competition/ Sat, 05 Sep 2026 08:10:07 +0000 https://en.kaabtv.com/?p=21580 Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa have increasingly become a focal point for regional and international competition, as major powers seek influence over strategic waterways, ports, trade routes, security partnerships and political developments across the region. Analysts say the growing rivalry involving Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Türkiye, Egypt and Qatar is becoming […]

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Somalia and the wider Horn of Africa have increasingly become a focal point for regional and international competition, as major powers seek influence over strategic waterways, ports, trade routes, security partnerships and political developments across the region.

Analysts say the growing rivalry involving Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Türkiye, Egypt and Qatar is becoming more visible in the Horn of Africa, particularly in Somalia, whose location along the Gulf of Aden and near the Red Sea shipping corridor gives it significant geopolitical importance.

The region sits astride some of the world’s busiest maritime routes, making it a critical arena for both economic and security interests.

Ethiopia has emerged as a central player in this competition due to its long-standing pursuit of reliable access to the sea.

That ambition has direct implications for Somalia, especially amid disputes surrounding Somali territorial integrity and Ethiopia’s relations with Somaliland.

At the same time, Egypt remains deeply invested in developments in the Horn because of concerns over Red Sea security and its broader dispute with Ethiopia over the Nile River and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

Türkiye has steadily expanded its political, economic and security footprint in Somalia over the past decade, becoming one of Mogadishu’s closest international partners.

Meanwhile, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Türkiye all view Somalia as an important part of the broader strategic contest unfolding across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The United Arab Emirates has also maintained extensive economic and security ties throughout the Horn of Africa.

Investments in ports such as Berbera and Bosaso, as well as interest in regional trade corridors, have made Somalia and neighboring territories important components of Abu Dhabi’s regional strategy.

Competition over ports, logistics hubs and military access points has become a defining feature of the wider Red Sea geopolitical landscape.

The United States continues to view Somalia primarily through a security lens, focusing on counterterrorism operations against Al-Shabaab and ISIS while also protecting international shipping routes through the Gulf of Aden.

Washington’s engagement is therefore tied not only to Somalia’s internal security but also to broader strategic concerns surrounding Red Sea stability.

Israel has also become increasingly visible in regional calculations, particularly following its growing engagement with Somaliland and its wider interests in Red Sea security.

These developments have drawn close attention from Mogadishu, which remains sensitive to any diplomatic or geopolitical shifts affecting Somalia’s territorial unity and regional position.

Eritrea, with its long Red Sea coastline and proximity to the Bab al-Mandab Strait, remains another key strategic actor.

Recent analyses suggest that changes in Eritrea’s relations with global powers could influence the broader balance of power in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea basin.

Qatar likewise continues to maintain political and economic interests in Somalia.

The Gulf rivalry that once pitted Doha against Saudi Arabia and the UAE had a noticeable impact on Somali politics, highlighting how external regional disputes can spill into domestic political dynamics.

Despite the growing competition, analysts caution against portraying Somalia as a direct battlefield for foreign powers. There is limited evidence that these states are engaged in a proxy war inside Somalia.

What is clear, however, is that their political, economic, security and strategic interests in the country continue to expand.

The challenge facing Somalia is how to benefit from these competing interests without allowing them to deepen domestic divisions.

Observers warn that if external actors increasingly align with rival political factions, federal member states or the central government, internal disputes could become more difficult to resolve and take on a broader international dimension.

Somalia today occupies a uniquely strategic position.

It is simultaneously confronting the threats posed by Al-Shabaab and ISIS, navigating political disagreements between the federal government and regional administrations, and finding itself at the center of competition over ports, trade routes, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

For Somali policymakers, the key question is no longer simply which foreign partners support Somalia, but how the country can leverage international interest to advance national priorities while avoiding becoming an arena for competing external agendas.

As regional rivalries continue to intensify, Somalia’s strategic value is likely to grow. Its long coastline, proximity to major shipping lanes and position near the Red Sea make it increasingly important to regional and global powers.

Yet that importance also carries risks. Without a unified national strategy and strong institutions, external competition could become intertwined with Somalia’s internal political, security and economic challenges.

For that reason, analysts argue that Somalia’s future will depend not only on its ability to manage domestic issues, but also on how effectively it navigates the increasingly complex geopolitical competition shaping the Horn of Africa.

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]]> Saudi Aid Agency Repatriates 154 Somali Refugees from Yemen https://en.kaabtv.com/saudi-aid-agency-repatriates-154-somali-refugees-from-yemen/ Sun, 30 Aug 2026 10:50:36 +0000 https://en.kaabtv.com/?p=21415 Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) has facilitated the voluntary return of 154 Somali refugees from Yemen to Somalia, as part of an ongoing humanitarian effort aimed at assisting vulnerable populations affected by years of conflict and instability in Yemen. The repatriation operation began at Aden International Airport and was carried […]

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Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) has facilitated the voluntary return of 154 Somali refugees from Yemen to Somalia, as part of an ongoing humanitarian effort aimed at assisting vulnerable populations affected by years of conflict and instability in Yemen.

The repatriation operation began at Aden International Airport and was carried out in cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

The initiative forms part of broader humanitarian and protection programs designed to support refugees and displaced people living in difficult conditions across Yemen.

According to officials involved in the operation, the refugees were assisted through a voluntary return process that included logistical support, travel arrangements, and the completion of necessary procedures to ensure their safe return to Somalia.

UNHCR Representative in Yemen, Armen Yedgaryan, praised KSrelief for its role in facilitating the repatriation effort and for helping establish the arrangements required for Somali refugees to return home voluntarily and with dignity.

“The support provided by KSrelief has been crucial in enabling this voluntary return operation and ensuring that refugees are able to complete the necessary procedures for their journey back to Somalia,” Yedgaryan said.

The return of the 154 refugees is part of wider humanitarian efforts underway in Yemen to assist refugees and other vulnerable groups affected by the country’s prolonged crisis.

Yemen has hosted thousands of Somali refugees for decades, many of whom fled conflict and instability in Somalia seeking safety across the Gulf of Aden.

However, Yemen’s own civil war, which began in 2014, has created severe humanitarian challenges, leaving many refugees facing difficult living conditions, limited access to services, and growing economic hardship.

As a result, international organizations and humanitarian agencies have increasingly supported voluntary repatriation programs for Somalis wishing to return home.

KSrelief, one of Saudi Arabia’s leading humanitarian organizations, has been involved in a range of relief and development projects across Somalia and Yemen, including food assistance, healthcare support, emergency relief operations, and refugee protection initiatives.

The latest repatriation operation underscores ongoing international efforts to provide durable solutions for refugees while supporting safe, voluntary, and dignified returns for those seeking to rebuild their lives in Somalia.

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]]> Saudi Arabia Pledges More Humanitarian Aid to Somalia https://en.kaabtv.com/saudi-arabia-pledges-more-humanitarian-aid-to-somalia/ Mon, 06 Jul 2026 08:47:45 +0000 https://en.kaabtv.com/?p=20128 Saudi Arabia has announced plans to expand its humanitarian assistance to Somalia, reaffirming its commitment to supporting vulnerable communities affected by conflict, drought, floods, and other humanitarian crises across the country. Saudi authorities said the increased assistance will focus on providing relief to disadvantaged families and strengthening humanitarian programs aimed at improving the living conditions […]

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]]> Saudi Arabia has announced plans to expand its humanitarian assistance to Somalia, reaffirming its commitment to supporting vulnerable communities affected by conflict, drought, floods, and other humanitarian crises across the country.

Saudi authorities said the increased assistance will focus on providing relief to disadvantaged families and strengthening humanitarian programs aimed at improving the living conditions of those most in need. The Kingdom described the initiative as part of its continued commitment to supporting Somalia’s recovery and humanitarian response efforts.

According to Saudi officials, several projects previously implemented in Somalia have delivered tangible results, including support for the National Blood Bank in Mogadishu, which has helped provide life-saving blood transfusions and medical services to more than 230 patients.

The Kingdom also highlighted its contributions to emergency relief programs assisting families displaced or affected by prolonged drought, devastating floods, and armed conflict.

Saudi Arabia said much of its humanitarian support has been coordinated through the Federal Government of Somalia to ensure aid reaches vulnerable communities across the country.

Saudi Arabia has remained one of Somalia’s longstanding humanitarian partners, regularly providing food assistance, medical supplies, emergency relief, and development support.

Much of this assistance has been delivered through the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief), which has implemented projects in healthcare, food security, water and sanitation, education, and disaster response throughout Somalia.

In recent years, Somalia has faced recurring humanitarian emergencies driven by climate shocks, insecurity, and economic hardship. Consecutive seasons of drought, followed by destructive flooding linked to the El Niño weather pattern, have displaced hundreds of thousands of people and left millions in need of humanitarian assistance.

International partners, including Saudi Arabia, continue to play a key role in supporting relief operations and helping strengthen the country’s resilience against future crises.

Saudi officials reaffirmed that the Kingdom will continue working with Somali authorities and international humanitarian organizations to expand assistance programs and contribute to Somalia’s long-term recovery and development.

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]]> Somalia and Saudi Arabia Reach Agreement on Port Development and Bilateral Cooperation https://en.kaabtv.com/somalia-and-saudi-arabia-reach-agreement-on-port-development-and-bilateral-cooperation/ Fri, 20 Feb 2026 09:33:53 +0000 https://en.kaabtv.com/?p=17965 MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – The Governments of Somalia and Saudi Arabia have reached a multi-sector cooperation agreement, with a strong focus on the development of ports. The agreement was signed by Somalia’s Minister of Ports and Maritime Transport of the Federal Government, Abdulqadir Mohamed Nur, and his Saudi counterpart, Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser. According to […]

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MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – The Governments of Somalia and Saudi Arabia have reached a multi-sector cooperation agreement, with a strong focus on the development of ports. The agreement was signed by Somalia’s Minister of Ports and Maritime Transport of the Federal Government, Abdulqadir Mohamed Nur, and his Saudi counterpart, Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser.

According to a joint press release issued by the two Ministers of Ports from the governments of Mogadishu and Riyadh, Somalia and Saudi Arabia agreed to collaborate on port development, exports, investment, exchange of expertise, and all matters related to this vital economic sector.

The agreement is expected to enhance the efficiency and productivity of Somalia’s ports while creating new business opportunities and opening doors for increased investment, as stated in a release from the Ministry of Ports and Maritime Transport of the Federal Government of Somalia.

Previously, Somalia and Saudi Arabia signed a similar agreement between their Ministries of Defense. That agreement included strengthening military capabilities to address potential threats in maritime areas, including the Indian Ocean and other strategic sea routes.

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]]> Djibouti, Saudi Arabia Sign 30-Year Deal for Tadjourah Port https://en.kaabtv.com/djibouti-saudi-arabia-sign-30-year-deal-for-tadjourah-port/ Sun, 26 Oct 2025 07:00:25 +0000 https://en.kaabtv.com/?p=15912 Saudi Arabia (KAAB TV) – The Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority has announced the signing of a 30-year concession agreement granting Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Gateway Terminal the rights to operate, manage, and develop the Port of Tadjourah. The framework agreement, signed on Friday in Jeddah, builds upon a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concluded […]

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]]> Saudi Arabia (KAAB TV) – The Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority has announced the signing of a 30-year concession agreement granting Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Gateway Terminal the rights to operate, manage, and develop the Port of Tadjourah.

The framework agreement, signed on Friday in Jeddah, builds upon a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) concluded between the two parties in March 2025, marking a new milestone in the growing maritime and logistics cooperation between Djibouti and Saudi Arabia.

The signing ceremony was attended by Aboubaker Omar Hadi, Chairman of DPFZA; Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama, Djibouti’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia; and Jens O. Floe, CEO of RSGT International.

The agreement was formally signed by Kamil Mohamed Gorah, Chairman of the Port of Tadjourah, and Gagan Seksaria, Director of Investments at RSGT.

Officials hailed the deal as a major step toward diversifying and strengthening Djibouti’s port infrastructure.

Under the 30-year concession, RSGT will redevelop the Port of Tadjourah into a modern multi-purpose terminal with an initial handling capacity of five million tons per year.

The facility is expected to become a key gateway for Ethiopian imports and exports, including potash, fertilizers, grains, construction materials, and containerized cargo.

The development plan also envisions the establishment of a dedicated free zone designed to attract foreign investment and support integrated logistics, warehousing, and value-added services.

“The collaboration between RSGT and DPFZA in developing the Port of Tadjourah will further strengthen Djibouti’s strategic position as a leading logistics and maritime hub in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, serving as a vital link between Africa, the Middle East, and global markets,” the Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority said in a statement.

Originally inaugurated in 2017, the Port of Tadjourah was built primarily to handle Ethiopia’s potash exports from the Afar region.

Limited utilization and infrastructure constraints have slowed its growth — a challenge the new Saudi partnership aims to address.

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]]> How Umrah and Hajj Visas Are Being Exploited by Human Traffickers in Somalia https://en.kaabtv.com/how-umrah-and-hajj-visas-are-being-exploited-by-human-traffickers-in-somalia/ Thu, 07 Aug 2025 19:28:12 +0000 https://en.kaabtv.com/?p=14203 MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – Somali human traffickers have found a new route to smuggle desperate migrants abroad: by misusing religious pilgrimage visas. The Umrah and Hajj visas, intended for Muslims travelling to Saudi Arabia for religious rites, are now being exploited as a tool in human trafficking schemes. Kaab TV has uncovered disturbing evidence of […]

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]]> MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – Somali human traffickers have found a new route to smuggle desperate migrants abroad: by misusing religious pilgrimage visas.

The Umrah and Hajj visas, intended for Muslims travelling to Saudi Arabia for religious rites, are now being exploited as a tool in human trafficking schemes.

Kaab TV has uncovered disturbing evidence of young Somalis paying up to $10,000 to middlemen based at travel agencies in Mogadishu in exchange for Umrah visas.

These intermediaries allegedly work with corrupt government officials in the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Endowment, and the Department of Immigration, to facilitate passport issuance and visa processing.

Although the ministry is officially tasked with overseeing Hajj and Umrah arrangements, it has reportedly outsourced much of its operations to agents and brokers closely tied to ministry officials.

Some of these individuals are accused of paying bribes to gain influence.

Widespread corruption

The current Minister of Religious Affairs in Somalia is Sheikh Mukhtar Robow Ali, also known as Abu Mansur — a former co-founder and senior leader of the Al-Shabaab militant group.
The current Minister of Religious Affairs in Somalia is Sheikh Mukhtar Robow Ali (pictured left), also known as Abu Mansur — a former co-founder and senior leader of the Al-Shabaab militant group.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud recently acknowledged the widespread corruption at the ministry.

“I received many complaints about corruption in the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Endowment,” the president said. However, in a controversial remark, he added that he was not concerned, stating: “Even if the minister steals, he would still invest some in the country.”

The current Minister of Religious Affairs in Somalia is Sheikh Mukhtar Robow Ali, also known as Abu Mansur — a former co-founder and senior leader of the Al-Shabaab militant group.

Religious pilgrimage has become a lucrative business in Somalia. One agent told Kaab TV that each Hajj traveler this year paid up to $4,500. Social media platforms in Somalia are flooded with ads for Hajj and Umrah packages, often promising “urgent processing” and even expedited passport services for extra fees.

What once was a journey of faith has now become a gateway for smuggling.

Abdirahman Bashi, a Mogadishu resident, recently received a call from his younger sister who had traveled to Saudi Arabia on an Umrah visa.

The traffickers had promised to help her secure a visa to Italy once in Saudi Arabia, but now they are demanding additional money.

“My sister told me they need more money to ‘facilitate’ her Italian visa,” Abdirahman said. His family has begun selling their land in a Mogadishu suburb to raise the funds.

Italy has recently become a popular destination for smugglers moving African migrants due to what they perceive as easier visa opportunities and asylum pathways.

While some victims make it to Europe, others remain trapped. One family in northern Mogadishu is heartbroken after learning their only son, Ahmed Nasir, is being held by traffickers in Tripoli, Libya.

He initially left Somalia for Egypt on a legal visa but was later smuggled into Libya, where he hoped to cross the Mediterranean Sea.

“The traffickers are now demanding $6,000, claiming it covers his travel expenses,” said Nasir’s mother, Halima. “But even if we pay them, I’m afraid they won’t let him go.”

The Somali Immigration Department did not respond to Kaab TV’s inquiries about the alleged involvement of its officials in the trafficking network.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Endowment has denied any wrongdoing or connection to the smuggling operations.

As the misuse of pilgrimage visas continues, vulnerable Somalis are caught in a dangerous cycle of exploitation, debt, and broken promises.

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]]> Mukhtar Robow and Hassan Sheikh The current Minister of Religious Affairs in Somalia is Sheikh Mukhtar Robow Ali (pictured left), also known as Abu Mansur — a former co-founder and senior leader of the Al-Shabaab militant group. Traffickers even openly advertise their services on social media, promising 'urgent visa issuance' and 'comfortable travel'. Traffickers even openly advertise their services on social media, promising 'urgent visa issuance' and 'comfortable travel'. Traffickers even openly advertise their services on social media, promising 'urgent visa issuance' and 'comfortable travel'. Human Rights Groups Alarmed by Imminent Executions of Foreign Nationals Including Somalis in Saudi Arabia https://en.kaabtv.com/human-rights-groups-alarmed-by-imminent-executions-of-foreign-nationals-including-somalis-in-saudi-arabia/ Thu, 19 Jun 2025 06:41:45 +0000 https://en.kaabtv.com/?p=13192 MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – Dozens of Somali, Ethiopian, and Egyptian nationals among those facing death sentences for non-lethal drug offences amid execution surge. Human rights organisations across Africa, Asia, and Europe have raised urgent concerns over the looming execution of hundreds of foreign nationals in Saudi Arabia, many of whom were convicted of non-lethal drug […]

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]]> MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – Dozens of Somali, Ethiopian, and Egyptian nationals among those facing death sentences for non-lethal drug offences amid execution surge.

Human rights organisations across Africa, Asia, and Europe have raised urgent concerns over the looming execution of hundreds of foreign nationals in Saudi Arabia, many of whom were convicted of non-lethal drug offences.

Among those at imminent risk are scores of Egyptian, Ethiopian, and Somali men, currently held in Saudi prisons under death sentences.

According to figures from the Saudi Press Agency, 98 people have already been executed for drug-related offences in 2025, marking a dramatic increase. Rights groups say many prisoners now live in “a state of terror,” with executions carried out without warning and amid serious due process violations.

In Najran Prison, in southwestern Saudi Arabia, at least 37 Ethiopian and 27 Somali nationals are on death row. So far this year, 19 Somalis and 7 Ethiopians have been executed, most on charges of “smuggling hashish.”

In June alone, 12 Somali men and 3 Ethiopian nationals were executed, with fears that more executions are imminent.

End extrajudicial executions 

In Tabuk Prison, in the northwest, 26 Egyptian nationals are also on death row for drug-related crimes. At least three Egyptians have been executed this year, including Mahmoud Mohamed Khamis and Farhat Abu al-Saud, executed on May 24 and 25, respectively.

Other prisoners have reportedly been told they will be executed following the Eid al-Adha holiday, which ended on June 10. On that day, the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial executions called on Saudi Arabia to halt the executions and end the death penalty for drug crimes, stating that violations of fair trial guarantees make such sentences “arbitrary and unlawful.”

Human rights organisations warn that many of those on death row may be victims of human trafficking, coerced or deceived into transporting drugs under threats or false promises. Yet most were denied a fair trial, with limited or no access to legal representation, consular assistance, or appeal processes.

Court documents and testimonies reviewed by rights groups point to systematic abuses, including torture during interrogations, reliance on forced confessions, and lack of legal transparency — all in violation of both Saudi law and international human rights standards, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Arab Charter on Human Rights.

Saudi authorities routinely withhold the bodies of executed prisoners and fail to notify families in advance, who often only learn of executions through the media.

The location of burial sites is typically not disclosed.

As of 17 June 2025, 154 executions have been reported this year, an 80% increase from the same period in 2024 — the year with the highest number of executions in Saudi Arabia (345). Of those executed this year, 69 were foreign nationals from 11 African and Asian countries, including Somalia (19), Pakistan (12), Ethiopia (7), and Egypt (3).

International law strictly limits the use of the death penalty to the “most serious crimes,” interpreted to mean crimes involving intentional killing. Drug offences do not meet this threshold. While Saudi Arabia observed a short-lived moratorium on drug-related executions from January 2021 to November 2022, it was never formally codified, and executions resumed at alarming rates.

Despite repeated promises from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to reduce the use of the death penalty, including pledges made as recently as March 2022, Saudi Arabia remains among the world’s top executioners. Rights groups note that some executions are carried out in secret and not publicly reported — with 49 of the 196 executions in 2022 never formally announced by state media.

In response to the ongoing crisis, over 30 human rights organisations have issued a joint appeal urging Saudi authorities to:

  • Immediately commute all death sentences for non-lethal offences;
  • Establish an official moratorium on executions;
  • And reform legislation to align with international human rights standards.

Signatory organisations include:

African Academy of Diplomacy (AAD), ALQST for Human Rights, Somali Journalists Syndicate (SJS), ECPM, Amnesty-associated national coalitions, DAWN, Reprieve, European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights (ESOHR), MENA Rights Group, Women’s Action for Human Rights (WAHR), among many others across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.

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]]> U.S., UAE, Switzerland, and Others Condemn Deadly Attack on UN Humanitarian Convoy in Sudan https://en.kaabtv.com/u-s-uae-switzerland-and-others-condemn-deadly-attack-on-un-humanitarian-convoy-in-sudan/ Thu, 05 Jun 2025 10:32:56 +0000 https://en.kaabtv.com/?p=12917 NAIROBI (Kaab TV) — The ALPS group — a coalition comprising the governments of the United States, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, along with the African Union and the United Nations — has strongly condemned a deadly attack on a United Nations humanitarian convoy in Sudan that left five aid workers dead […]

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]]> NAIROBI (Kaab TV) — The ALPS group — a coalition comprising the governments of the United States, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, along with the African Union and the United Nations — has strongly condemned a deadly attack on a United Nations humanitarian convoy in Sudan that left five aid workers dead and destroyed critical life-saving supplies.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families, colleagues, and communities of those who were killed while working to assist others in desperate need,” the coalition said in a joint statement.

The attack occurred on Monday night near the town of El Koma in North Darfur province, as the convoy was en route to the city of El Fasher.

The United Nations confirmed the deaths and the destruction of several aid trucks.

The United Nations confirmed the deaths and the destruction of several aid trucks.
The United Nations confirmed the deaths and the destruction of several aid trucks.

According to UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, the convoy — a joint operation by the World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF — consisted of 15 trucks and had traveled more than 1,800 kilometers from Port Sudan, carrying vital nutrition and food supplies.

“This horrendous act of violence is devastating,” Dujarric told reporters at a press briefing in New York on Tuesday.

“Multiple trucks were burned, and critical humanitarian supplies were destroyed. This was the first UN humanitarian convoy that was going to make it to El Fasher in over a year.”

The UN said negotiations were underway with local authorities to ensure safe passage to El Fasher when the attack occurred.

The United Nations confirmed the deaths and the destruction of several aid trucks.
The United Nations confirmed the deaths and the destruction of several aid trucks.

The perpetrators of the assault remain unidentified, and Sudan’s rival factions are trading blame.

The ALPS coalition emphasized that attacks on civilians, aid workers, and humanitarian assets constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law.

“We urgently reiterate the need for full respect of international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians and humanitarian personnel,” the statement read. “We call on all parties to allow and facilitate unhindered humanitarian access to people in need.”

Sudan has been engulfed in a brutal civil war since April 2023, when conflict broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The war has displaced millions and has been marked by widespread atrocities, including ethnic violence and mass sexual violence, particularly in Darfur.

The humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, with large parts of the population now dependent on aid for survival.

The post U.S., UAE, Switzerland, and Others Condemn Deadly Attack on UN Humanitarian Convoy in Sudan appeared first on Kaab TV.

]]> The United Nations confirmed the deaths and the destruction of several aid trucks. The United Nations confirmed the deaths and the destruction of several aid trucks. The United Nations confirmed the deaths and the destruction of several aid trucks in Sudan The United Nations confirmed the deaths and the destruction of several aid trucks.