United News of Bangladesh

Saudi Arabia warned of a "hostile aerial threat" and issued a series of emergency alerts across the country late Friday and early Saturday, with at least one explosion heard in the capital, Riyadh. No casualties or damage were reported after the alerts were lifted. Saudi authorities did not say what triggered the warnings or explain the reported explosions. However, they have previously said they intercepted missiles and drones launched by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The alert in Riyadh was the first reported warning in the Saudi capital since the latest escalation involving the Houthis. Meanwhile, Iran's state television reported Saturday that a man identified as Hossein Pedram was executed after being convicted of spying for Israel's intelligence agency, Mossad. According to the report, Pedram passed classified information about sensitive military sites in Iran's Isfahan province to Israel. It did not explain how he obtained the information. Pedram was reportedly arrested after the sites, including missile bases, were targeted during a 12-day air war between Iran, Israel and the United States in June last year. The executions have drawn international criticism from human rights groups. UN Security Council condemns Houthi attacks The U.N. Security Council on Friday condemned the Houthis' military escalation, including attacks and threats against Saudi Arabia and commercial vessels. The council said the attacks "risk further expanding the conflict, threatening maritime security and international trade" while undermining regional and international efforts to achieve peace in Yemen. It also warned that continued escalation could worsen Yemen's already severe humanitarian situation. The council's 15 members called for "practical cooperation" to prevent the Iran-backed Houthis from obtaining weapons, military training, financing and other support needed to carry out attacks. They also stressed that all countries must enforce the U.N. arms embargo against the rebel group.Clarify the confusing timeline and scopeRemove the unsupported executions plural

Saudi Arabia has accused Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels of attempting to attack Mecca, Islam's holiest city, prompting condemnation from countries across the region but no immediate offer of military support. The kingdom, a key US ally, described Mecca as a "red line" as it became increasingly drawn into a new front of the Iran war. Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter, is facing attacks from the Houthis, who are backed by its regional rival Iran. The kingdom is seeking secure routes to export its crude as well as military support, but it remains unclear how either objective can be achieved. A key Saudi oil pipeline has reportedly been out of operation for weeks as the Houthis have targeted infrastructure inside the kingdom and shipping in the Red Sea. Iran continues to target vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, while oil prices remain above $100 a barrel. The Houthis denied launching drones toward Mecca, which lies about 1,100 kilometres (680 miles) from Yemen's border. Saudi authorities said they intercepted and destroyed the drone before it could enter the airspace over Mecca, the birthplace of Prophet Muhammad. Turkey and Pakistan say Saudi Arabia has not sought helpA recently announced defense pact involving Saudi Arabia, NATO member Turkey and nuclear-armed Pakistan has not been activated. Officials from Turkey and Pakistan told The Associated Press that Saudi Arabia had not requested military support following the latest Houthi escalation. The Turkish official said efforts to "institutionalize" the alliance must be completed before the pact can become operational. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the alleged attempted attack on Mecca, saying Pakistan and Saudi Arabia stand "unwaveringly, shoulder to shoulder." The Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which represents more than 57 Muslim countries, also condemned the incident, saying any attempt to target Mecca violates the "sanctity of holy sites." According to Col. Turki al-Maliki, spokesperson for the Saudi-led military coalition fighting the Houthis, the incident marked the second attempted Houthi attack on Mecca. The rebels previously fired a ballistic missile toward the city in 2017. US remains outside the conflict for nowTop US officials have indicated in recent days that Washington does not want to become directly involved in the conflict. "The Houthis called us, and they don't want to fight with us," US President Donald Trump said Saturday, adding that the rebels appeared to be focused on Saudi Arabia. Vice President JD Vance said Monday that Washington had remained in "constant contact" with Saudi Arabia and had held "direct conversations with the Houthis themselves." He described the situation as "a very fluid and dynamic thing" that the United States would continue to monitor. Houthis claim to have shot down Saudi-led coalition jetLater Wednesday, the Houthis claimed, without providing evidence, that they had shot down an F-15 fighter jet operated by the Saudi-led coalition over Yemen's central Marib province. Houthi military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree did not say when the alleged incident occurred. The Associated Press could not independently verify the claim. Spokespersons for the Saudi-led coalition and the Saudi government did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was visiting China, the biggest buyer of Iranian oil. Talks were expected to focus on the conflict and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Chinese President Xi Jinping again offered Beijing's assistance in efforts to end the Middle East conflict during the BRICS summit in New Delhi over the weekend.

Fighting in Yemen intensified Sunday as government forces launched attacks on Iran-backed Houthi rebels along the Red Sea, while the Houthis fired missiles and drones toward neighboring Saudi Arabia, which supports Yemen’s government. Yemen’s government said it would send more forces to the Red Sea coast after the Houthis captured the port city of Mokha and an island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait last week. A senior official described the defeat as “painful.” The Bab el-Mandeb is a key shipping route and an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz. The escalation, particularly Houthi attacks on Saudi oil facilities and shipping in the Red Sea, is adding pressure on global oil supplies and prices and could give Iran greater leverage in its conflict with the United States. As Yemen faces the risk of another civil war, the United Nations said more than 82,000 people had been displaced by fighting since the beginning of September. A woman who fled the Red Sea town of Khawkha in Hodeida province shortly before it fell to the Houthis said a mortar shell landed nearby as she escaped during the night. “I saw with my own eyes cars and buses burning, and bodies of children and women were lying on the road in a horrific scene,” she said. She spoke anonymously because of concerns for her and her family’s safety. Houthis claim attacks on Saudi ArabiaSaudi authorities activated warning sirens Sunday afternoon in the southern city of Abha and Khamis Mushait province, urging residents to take shelter from possible incoming attacks. Both areas have been targeted by the Houthis several times in recent weeks. Houthi military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said the group had used drones and missiles to attack targets in Saudi Arabia, including a military base near the Yemeni border. He did not provide evidence or specify when the attack took place. Saudi civil defense authorities said overnight that a projectile landed in another area near the Yemeni border along the Red Sea, injuring two people and damaging a mosque and several other buildings. Saudi authorities blamed the Houthis. Saudi Arabia did not report any new attacks against Houthi positions. The Houthis have been targeting Saudi oil facilities and shipping as part of a recently announced blockade. They have said, however, that they do not intend to target commercial shipping from other countries. Yemen says more than 500 government fighters killedThe National Resistance, a government-allied force that had controlled parts of the western coast, said more than 500 government fighters had been killed there over the past four weeks. It was the group's first comprehensive casualty figure. The force also claimed that more than 1,000 Houthis had been killed in Hodeida and Taiz provinces. A Houthi spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. More than 40 million people live in Yemen, where many fear a return to the civil war that began more than a decade ago. The conflict killed about 150,000 people and pushed millions toward famine. Yemen’s internationally recognized government and Saudi Arabia have fought the Houthis for years, although a ceasefire that began in 2022 largely halted the fighting. A senior Yemeni government official said government forces would return to the Red Sea coast and fight back. Residents fleeing the Houthi advance told The Associated Press that they saw government forces withdrawing and telling civilians to flee. Sultan al-Arada, a member of Yemen’s ruling Presidential Leadership Council, described the loss of Mokha and other areas along the western coast as “painful and regrettable.” In a televised interview late Saturday, he said government forces were regrouping and would return to the fighting. Presidential council leader Rashad al-Alimi sought Sunday to play down the setbacks, calling them “incidental,” according to comments published by the state-run SABA news agency. He said the government remained committed to restoring state institutions and reclaiming sovereignty over all national territory. The Yemeni military said Sunday that it carried out airstrikes on Houthi positions in Mokha, the coastal town of Dhubab and other areas of Taiz province. The Houthis reported attacks by Saudi-backed forces in Taiz and artillery shelling in Saada province, a Houthi stronghold near the Saudi border. Houthi advance brings them closer to US base in DjiboutiThe Houthi advance has brought the group to within about 20 miles (32 kilometres) of a US military base in Djibouti, across the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The base is the main US military facility in Africa. Djibouti also hosts military bases operated by China, France and Japan. The small Horn of Africa country is already receiving Yemenis fleeing the fighting across the dangerous waters. More than 2,000 Yemenis have arrived in Djibouti, the International Organization for Migration said Sunday. Djibouti’s Economy and Finance Minister Ilyas M. Dawaleh said on X that the country’s navy, coast guard and other specialized agencies were carrying out rescue operations and providing emergency assistance. Displaced Yemenis fear for their futureThe UN migration agency said more than 82,000 people had been displaced across Yemen since the start of September. “The displaced people are in a very bad condition,” said Ahmad al-Masawi, director of the Al Salam camp in Aden. He appealed to international organizations for help. “They left their homes quickly without any clothing or anything. They are crammed in camps, houses and even on roads,” he said. Hussein Haydara sat outside a shelter at the camp while his children waited to be assigned a tent. He said he was worried about the shelter’s distance from schools, hospitals and markets and questioned how his family would survive in the coming weeks and months. Haydara had previously fled his home in Hodeida when the Houthis took control of the area in 2015. But he said the latest displacement was more difficult. “With the first displacement, we had time to plan things, but this time we were forced to escape all of a sudden. One could hardly take their children and the lightest stuff possible,” he said.

Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi forces have traded strikes as fighting intensifies around the strategic Bab al-Mandeb chokepoint on Yemen’s Red Sea coast. The escalation comes as Houthi forces have seized Mayun Island, also known as Perim, giving the group a strategic position in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and strengthening its control over Yemen’s Red Sea coastline. US President Donald Trump said the Houthis had contacted Washington and asked it not to intervene in the conflict involving Yemen’s internationally recognized government. The developments came amid wider regional tensions after Iraq temporarily closed three border crossings with Iran following a drone attack launched from Iraqi territory that targeted Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline. Saudi Arabia suspended the pipeline as a precaution and has so far held off on an immediate response. Meanwhile, Iran is expected to meet Gulf states in Oman on Monday to discuss the Strait of Hormuz and efforts to promote regional security. Houthis gain strategic foothold Mayun Island, a 13-square-kilometre volcanic island in the middle of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, divides the waterway into two channels and overlooks one of the world’s most important maritime routes. The Houthis also control nearby coastal areas, including the port city of Mocha, strengthening their ability to threaten shipping through the strategic waterway. Security analyst Wolfgang Pusztai told Al Jazeera that the Houthis now have “the real capability to shut down any maritime traffic through Bab al-Mandeb if they want to”. However, maintaining control of the island could prove more difficult than capturing it. Andreas Krieg of King’s College London said the Houthis are in a strong position to defend Mayun in the short term because of their control of nearby territory, but the island could be difficult to defend against an amphibious assault over a longer period. The Bab al-Mandeb is a major global shipping route connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, making control of the waterway strategically important for regional powers and international trade.

Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has invited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit Saudi Arabia to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations and exchange views on regional and international issues. Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Zafer H bin Abiyah handed over the invitation letter to Tarique Rahman during a meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Secretariat on Monday, said Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Shahadat Hossain Shadhin. In the letter, the Saudi Crown Prince expressed his country’s keenness to further strengthen bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh in areas of mutual interest, with a view to fulfilling the aspirations of the two countries and their brotherly peoples. He said Saudi Arabia is pleased to invite the Bangladesh Prime Minister to visit the Kingdom to discuss ways to enhance bilateral ties and consult on regional and international issues.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has expressed strong interest in broadening its engagement with Bangladesh beyond the traditional manpower sector, with investment opportunities in fisheries, food, energy, renewable energy, information technology and artificial intelligence. "They (KSA) have repeatedly said the same thing - They do not want to be in just one sector; they want to work with Bangladesh in many sectors,'" State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, referring to the visiting Saudi delegation's message. Earlier, a high-level meeting was held between the two sides at State Guest House Padma. Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir, among others, were present at the meeting with the Saudi delegation led by Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Eng. Waleed Elkhereji. Two deputy Saudi ministers accompanied the Saudi delegation. Shama Obaed said the Saudi side conveyed its confidence in Bangladesh's government following the country's democratic election and reaffirmed its commitment to deepening ties. She said the discussions were "very successful and fruitful," with both sides focusing on expanding economic cooperation. "The Saudi government is interested in investing in Bangladesh by utilising the expertise they have in various sectors like fisheries, food, energy and renewable energy, solar energy, information technology (IT) and artificial intelligence," Shama Obaed said. She also said Saudi Arabia is interested in recruiting more skilled workers from Bangladesh, describing the issue as another important area of discussion. "We thanked them that due to the full cooperation of the Saudi government, we were able to bring back our brothers who died there," she said, recalling that three Bangladeshi nationals were killed during the recent conflict in the region. The Saudi delegation paid tribute to them. The Saudi Crown Prince has already invited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Bangladesh has also invited their Crown Prince to visit Bangladesh. Shama Obaed expressed hope that a joint Bangladesh-Saudi investment meeting would be held soon, with participation from the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and other stakeholders. She also announced that political consultations and a Joint Working Group meeting between the two countries are expected to take place in Bangladesh later this year. "This communication and exchange will continue," she said. Describing the visit as highly productive, Shama Obaed said Saudi Arabia expressed confidence that bilateral relations would continue to grow stronger. "This visit was very fruitful and, in the coming days, they have also expressed their strong belief that Saudi-Bangladesh relations will be further improved under the leadership of the Prime Minister," she said. Responding to a question about a possible visit by the Prime Minister to Saudi Arabia, Shama Obaed said the visit will definitely take place at a suitable time based on discussions between the two countries. Asked whether issues related to Rohingya passport documentation in Saudi Arabia or the illegal stay of some Bangladeshi workers were discussed, she said those matters did not feature prominently in the talks. "Look, we have the same problems related to passports in all countries," she said. "Our Bangladesh missions in Jeddah and Riyadh are already working to resolve those problems by establishing contact with Saudi Arabia," she added. The Saudi vice minister arrived in Dhaka on Monday night on a two-day visit. Foreign Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister Humaiun Kobir received him at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. He is scheduled to leave Bangladesh on Tuesday. Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr. Abdullah Zafer H. bin Abiyah recently said they expect greater emphasis on strategic investments, industrial partnerships, and technology transfer, noting that the next five years could represent a "transformative phase" in Bangladesh-Saudi economic relations. "Bangladesh offers one of the most dynamic investment destinations in South Asia, with a market of more than 170 million people and a strategic location connecting South and Southeast Asia," said the ambassador in an interview with UNB. Traditionally, the partnership has been driven by manpower cooperation and energy trade. Particularly promising sectors include energy infrastructure, LNG, oil refining, healthcare services, pharmaceuticals, and food security initiatives, said Ambassador Dr. Abdullah.  

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have announced a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia, threatening to block Saudi shipping through the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait in retaliation for what they described as Riyadh's blockade of Yemen and a recent attack on Sanaa International Airport. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said in a televised statement on Monday that the embargo would take effect immediately, calling the move an “eye for an eye” response. The group did not provide details on how the restrictions would be enforced. However, Nasruddin Amer, deputy head of the Houthi media office, said on social media platform X that the Bab al-Mandeb Strait would be closed to Saudi shipping in response to what he described as Saudi Arabia’s decade-long blockade of Yemen. The Bab al-Mandeb Strait, located at the southern entrance to the Red Sea, is one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints. Around 12 percent of global trade passes through the waterway, while roughly one-quarter of the world's container traffic transits the narrow passage en route to and from the Suez Canal. The announcement has raised concerns over renewed disruption to international shipping in the region. The Houthis previously demonstrated their ability to disrupt maritime traffic by launching attacks on commercial vessels during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. More than 100 ships were targeted in a campaign that significantly affected trade through the Red Sea. It remains unclear whether the group intends to launch a similar campaign against Saudi-linked vessels. Saudi Arabia's military said it would continue to ensure freedom of navigation through the waterway. Saudi military spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki said any threats against vessels transiting the Bab al-Mandeb would be dealt with "swiftly and firmly," describing such actions as a clear violation of international law and an act of maritime piracy.

A high-level Saudi delegation on Wednesday met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and expressed interest in investing up to US$1 billion in Bangladesh's ports, railways and other key infrastructure projects. The meeting took place at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, said a press release issued by the PM’s Press Wing. The delegation was led by Saudi Arabia's Vice Minister for Transport and Logistic Services Dr Rumaih Mohammed Al-Rumaih. During the meeting, the two sides discussed Bangladesh-Saudi Arabia bilateral relations, investment opportunities and ways to expand cooperation in infrastructure development. Members of the delegation also expressed their commitment to further strengthening ties between the two countries. The Prime Minister said Bangladesh's long-standing friendly relations with Saudi Arabia are of great importance to his government. The delegation informed Tarique Rahman that Red Sea Gateway Terminal International is interested in investing $180 million to develop a Bay Terminal in Bangladesh and increasing its overall investment in the country's port sector to $1 billion. They also said Red Sea Gateway Terminal International and several other Saudi companies are keen to invest in various sectors in Bangladesh.  

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud has invited Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to visit Saudi Arabia. Saudi Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Abdullah Jafar H Bin Abiyah handed over the invitation letter to the prime minister during a courtesy call at the Cabinet Division in the Bangladesh Secretariat around 9:40am. “The Saudi Crown Prince has also expressed interest in visiting Bangladesh,” Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humaiun Kobir said at a press briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He said the timing of the Prime Minister’s visit will be finalised through discussions between the two governments. "This is a significant moment in our bilateral relationship. The invitation to the Prime Minister and the Crown Prince's interest in visiting Bangladesh reflect the growing strength of ties between our two countries," he said. He added that the development demonstrated how the Bangladesh government has strengthened its brotherly relations with countries across the Middle East within a short period after assuming office. "I travelled across the Middle East as the Prime Minister's special envoy during the war, and this gesture from our Prime Minister has established tremendous goodwill for Bangladesh across the region," Humaiun Kobir said.

Saudi Arabia has lifted a five-year ban on imports from Lebanon, a move widely seen as a significant step toward restoring relations between Lebanon and Gulf countries and providing a boost to Lebanon’s struggling economy. The Saudi Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday that the decision was made at the direction of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and followed what it described as “positive steps taken by the Lebanese state.” Saudi Arabia first banned imports of Lebanese fruits and vegetables in 2021, accusing exporters of using shipments to smuggle drugs into the kingdom. In one high-profile case, Saudi authorities said they seized more than five million Captagon pills hidden inside a consignment of pomegranates from Lebanon. Later that year, Riyadh expanded the restrictions to cover all Lebanese imports after then-Lebanese Information Minister George Kordahi criticized the Saudi-led military campaign against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. The diplomatic fallout was also linked to Saudi Arabia’s longstanding concerns over the influence of the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon. The ban came at a time when Lebanon was already grappling with a severe economic crisis and a sharp depreciation of its national currency. While the Saudi statement did not specify the measures that led to the lifting of the ban, Lebanon has recently announced plans to disarm all non-state armed groups, including Hezbollah. Lebanese authorities have also pledged reforms aimed at strengthening state institutions. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun welcomed the decision and thanked Crown Prince Mohammed, saying the move would help revive the national economy and support Lebanese producers and exporters. Lebanon’s current government, which took office last year on a reform agenda, has been seeking to strengthen relations with Gulf states. Prior to the outbreak of the latest conflict involving Hezbollah and Israel, Lebanese officials had been working to attract Gulf tourists back to the country, while several Gulf nations had eased travel restrictions on visits to Lebanon. The latest Saudi decision is expected to improve trade opportunities for Lebanese businesses and further support efforts to rebuild ties between Beirut and Gulf capitals.