Latest news with #Saudi-hosted
LBCI
11-04-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
Ambush on the border: 107 illegal crossings closed as Lebanese Army thwarts arms smuggling
Report by Edmond Sassine, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi A Lebanese Army ambush in the border village of Aaiha in Rachaya district disrupted a weapons smuggling operation from Syria, triggering a blast and resulting in the injury and arrest of one smuggler. The smugglers were transporting weapons and ammunition from Syria into Lebanon using mules through illegal mountain crossings. Following the ambush, the army conducted a series of raids and made additional arrests in connection with the smuggling network. The operation marks part of a broader crackdown by the Lebanese military on smuggling and cross-border incidents along the eastern and northern frontiers with Syria. In response to recent tensions and clashes in northern Bekaa, Lebanese and Syrian Defense Ministers officials held a high-level meeting in Saudi Arabia. The talks between Lebanese Defense Minister Michel Mnassa and his Syrian counterpart, Murhaf Abu Qasra, created a joint operations room. The unit, headed by Lebanese-Syrian Coordination Office Chief General Michel Boutros and including representatives from General Security, aims to bolster bilateral coordination on border security. Additional sub-operations rooms were established in the Bekaa and northern regions, integrating army and General Security units to respond to cross-border threats swiftly. These units relay incidents to the central command room, which engages with Syrian counterparts, occasionally resulting in joint meetings for on-the-ground resolution. One example of this mechanism in action occurred in Yanta, a village in Rachaya, where a cross-border shooting at Lebanese soldiers was addressed through bilateral coordination. Since the beginning of the year, the Lebanese Army has shut down 107 illegal border crossings with Syria. The crackdown intensified following the Saudi-hosted defense talks. In northern Lebanon, army patrols have increased security patrols, focusing on high-risk towns and known smuggling routes.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
As peace talks stumble, can Ukraine hold the line against Russia's spring offensive?
In a way unseen since the start of the full-scale invasion, the daily grind of the front line in Russia's war against Ukraine has taken the back seat in world headlines. The dizzying U.S. President Donald Trump-led attempts to negotiate peace in the world arena dominate the news cycle instead. But as the world reacts to each new mineral deal draft, Saudi-hosted meeting, or aggressive tweet, Russian forces continue to attack Ukrainian lines on a daily basis across the front line. Over March, Russian forces came close to completely pushing Ukrainian troops out of the salient in Kursk Oblast that Kyiv had occupied since August 2024. Fighting has since continued along the border areas, but despite a costly and, at times, chaotic retreat from the salient, Ukrainian units in the area have taken up an active defense and prevented a major breakthrough into Ukraine's Sumy Oblast located just across the border. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces have successfully brought Russian advances inside Ukrainian territory to a crawl, with monitoring group DeepState recording that Russian gains for March 2025 were at their lowest since last June. With peace talks entering a make-or-break phase, the stage is set for a pivotal new clash of armies across the front line. On March 27, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Russia was preparing new, large-scale offensives across Ukraine's northern border in Sumy and Kharkiv oblasts. Meanwhile, in southern Donetsk Oblast, which has been the main hotspot of the front line since the fall of Avdiivka in February last year, the military reports a new uptick in Russian attacks. Read also: Inside Ukraine's desperate race to train more soldiers Ukraine's success in stabilizing the front line over winter was far from a foregone conclusion. Over summer and autumn 2024, Russia was taking more Ukrainian land with each successive month, culminating in November, when successive tactical breakthroughs saw Russian forces make rapid advances in the fields northwest of the city of Vuhledar in Donetsk Oblast, turning the defense of Kurakhove into a largely unfavorable pocket, which in turn led to difficult and chaotic retreats from the units stationed there. With the onset of the new year, failing to enter Pokrovsk in a head-on assault like in the cities of Toretsk and Chasiv Yar thanks to a well-prepared Ukrainian defense, Russian forces attempted to enclose Pokrovsk and neighboring Myrnohrad with wide pincers on its eastern and western flanks, coming within five kilometers of the border of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast in the process. These attempts were ultimately stymied by a stubborn Ukrainian defense in February, which has since conducted successful counterattacks in the area. "High losses probably led to a degree of exhaustion and a need to regroup," said John Hardie, deputy director of the Russia program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. "Some of that may have been a dip in operational tempo as different units were repositioned in different directions. That said, the Russians are still recruiting at a really high rate, so the issue is not a lack of manpower." Although Russia has slowed significantly near Pokrovsk, less-intense parts of the front have activated over March, threatening to flare up into larger offensives. Taking advantage of a defense manned by less prepared Ukrainian units, Russian forces have managed to expand a bridgehead across the Oskil River north of Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast, while south of the city, a similar crossing was achieved on the Zherebets River, near the Ukrainian-held territory in Luhansk Oblast. Read also: Russian forces push to secure ground west of Oskil River in Kupiansk sector, Ukraine says "If I had to guess, their main effort would still be around central Donetsk, Pokrovsk, Kostiantynivka directions, possibly seizing Toretsk and maybe even trying to advance toward Kramatorsk," Emil Kastehelmi, a Finnish military analyst and member of the Black Bird Group open-source intelligence collective told the Kyiv Independent. In keeping with long-held goals to conquer all of Donetsk Oblast, Moscow could choose to breathe new life into its offensive on the embattled city of Pokrovsk, which has been the hottest sector of the front line for the last six months. Further south, Ukraine's hold on the southern reaches of Donetsk Oblast continues to be chipped away by Russia following the fall of the cities of Kurakhove and Velyka Novosilka during winter. In an early teaser of what could be a larger offensive push, Russia launched a large mechanized attack in the first days of April in the town of Andriivka, just west of Kurakhove, according to Ukraine's 46th Airmobile Brigade, which reported three Russian tanks, eleven armored vehicles, and 58 personnel destroyed in the unsuccessful attempt to break through Ukrainian lines. On March 31, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said that Russian forces had once again upped the intensity of attacks in the Pokrovsk sector, but so far without success, with Ukraine's active defense in the area holding firm. As warned by Zelensky, while keeping up the pressure in Donetsk Oblast, Russia could also look to create strategic dilemmas for Ukraine by launching new pushes across Ukraine's northern border into Sumy or Kharkiv oblasts. Alternatively, closer in line with Russia's stated goals to control all four oblasts the Kremlin said it annexed in September 2022, an offensive from the south towards Zaporizhzhia is also possible, evidenced by a recent uptick in the fighting there reported by Kyiv in late March. Moscow's opening of a new front to spread the pressure on the Ukrainian defense would have precedent from last year's spring campaign. The cross-border offensive on Kharkiv in May 2024, while failing to break into artillery range of Ukraine's second-biggest city, did force Kyiv to draw away some of its strongest brigades and drone units from the eastern front, likely helping Russia press the advantage in its push towards Pokrovsk. Ultimately, where Russia chooses to move will be a question of priorities and forces available, argued Hardie. "Despite the ill-fated Kharkiv offensive and attacks in other areas (in 2024), the Pokrovsk direction remained the main effort where Russia devoted the vast majority of its daily assaults and resources last year," he said. "It's unlikely they could replicate what they're doing in Pokrovsk in terms of tempo and the number of bodies they throw at Ukrainian positions in two places at once. They would have to prioritize one or the other." Read also: The rise and fall of Ukraine's Kursk gambit On the tactical level, both sides are preparing for a spring campaign set to be defined by the brutal new reality of war under a sky completely saturated with drone-based reconnaissance and fire assets. For both sides, the ability of enemy drones to control logistics routes up to and often beyond ten kilometers behind the zero line has meant that any movement in this zone, whether of a vehicle or just an individual soldier, could become the target of multiple high-precision strikes just a few minutes after being noticed. The proliferation of electronic warfare (EW) systems has provided serious relief for vehicles driving near the front line over 2024, but the increased use by both sides of suicide drones with a hard fiber optic connection has rendered EW far from a complete solution. Beyond the stereotypical image of muddy spring ground complicating the use of armor, the warming weather and return of foliage to the trees present challenges and opportunities for both sides. Overall, the most felt changes may not be the weather itself but simply the continued march of drone saturation, where seismic changes in scale, technology, and danger tend to occur every few months. "For the attacker, large mechanized troop concentrations become really difficult, especially given the drone warfare situation," said Kastehelmi, "and this forces the Russians to continue using infantry-heavy tactics." "At the same time, Ukrainian forces continue to stubbornly defend certain areas even as the Russians advance on the flanks, making their supply lines more and more vulnerable to Russian drone strikes." Ultimately, with both sides throwing everything at drone development, the deciding factor is likely to be the asymmetrical manpower dimension. For Moscow, the question is if Russia can continue to feed enough men into its wave-like infantry assault tactics on the same scale as in 2024, while for Kyiv, whether they can mobilize and train enough combat-effective infantry to patch up holes in the front line and maybe even allow for the rotation of units. "Ukraine does a really good job of using FPVs and heavy bombers, and drone-laid mines to degrade Russian assault groups, often before they reach Ukrainian positions, helping compensate for the shortage of infantry," said Hardie. "I don't expect the Russians to start making rapid gains. They have clearly shown they are incapable of an operational-level breakthrough, and I don't expect that to change." With the Trump administration's attempts to achieve a limited ceasefire failing to show any signs of getting Moscow to stop on the battlefield, the results of the spring campaign could bring the most decisive weight on to the balance of power between Russia and Ukraine. "Putin believes he has the upper hand on the battlefield and wants to press that advantage despite the peace talks initiated by Donald Trump," said Hardie. "He not only wants to gain more territory but also more leverage at the negotiating table." If Moscow can reverse the current trajectory and once again begin to overstretch and overwhelm the Ukrainian defense in several sectors, the political choice to refuse a future problematic peace deal and keep fighting without U.S. support could be a lot more difficult to take. "The manpower issue remains," said Kastehelmi, "and there is significant uncertainty regarding the foreign and security policy environment." If, however, Ukrainian forces are able to hold firm along the front line, fixing mistakes and systemic problems leading to the manpower crisis while continuing to increase the efficiency of its drone units, Kyiv's position will be a lot stronger. Read also: As Russia refuses to accept ceasefire, will Trump pressure Moscow? We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The National
12-03-2025
- Politics
- The National
Ukraine has said it will agree to US proposal for 30-day ceasefire
Ukraine on Tuesday said it will agree to a US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with Russia, after a Saudi-hosted meeting between delegations from Kyiv and Washington. In exchange, the US has agreed to "immediately" restore intelligence sharing, according to a joint statement by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry. President Donald Trump "wants the war to end, and I think today, Ukraine has taken a concrete step in that regard", US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said after the meeting. "We hope the Russians will reciprocate." Mr Trump welcomed the apparent breakthrough and said he hoped Russia would make a deal. "If we can get Russia to do it, that'll be great. If we can't, we just keep going on and people are going to get killed, lots of people," he said at the White House. He added that he would talk to the Russia President Vladimir Putin "this week". "It takes two to tango, so hopefully he'll also agree," Mr Trump said. Delegations from the US and Ukraine met in Jeddah, after talks at the White House last month ended disastrously when he and Vice President JD Vance assailed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for appearing "disrespectful" by not saying thank you enough. "It's a big difference between the last visit you saw in the Oval Office," Mr Trump said adding that he would invite Mr Zelenskyy back to the White House. The US last week paused intelligence sharing with Kyiv, after a halt in military aid, moves that appeared to be aimed at forcing the US ally to the negotiating table. Tuesday's developments come more than three years after Russia invaded Ukraine. Kyiv wants to demonstrate that Mr Zelenskyy is aligned with Mr Trump's push for a swift end to the conflict. The US President has accused Mr Zelenskyy of not being prepared for peace, with the US administration holding direct talks with Russia. US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz said negotiators 'got into substantive details on how this war is going to permanently end", including long-term security guarantees. "The Ukrainian delegation today made something very clear, that they share President Trump's vision for peace," he said. The Kremlin did not immediately offer a response. Russia has said it is ready to cease hostilities on condition that Ukraine drops its bid to join Nato and recognises regions that Moscow occupies as Russian. Russia has captured nearly a fifth of Ukraine's territory. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha posted images on X that showed officials from Kyiv walking to the meeting, hours after Ukrainian forces launched their largest drone attack on Moscow to date. He also posted photos from the talks. 'We see this meeting as a great opportunity to advance peace and develop the Ukraine-US strategic partnership," Mr Sybiha said in the post. "The constructive atmosphere proves we can use this opportunity. Ukraine wants peace as no one else." Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan represented the kingdom at the talks. The meeting was also attended by Andriy Yermak, Mr Zelenskyy's chief of staff, who is leading the Ukrainian delegation. Mr Zelenskyy met Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday, with the Ukrainian leader thanking the kingdom for its role in peace efforts. They discussed working to achieve a "sustainable, fair and comprehensive" peace in Ukraine, according to a joint statement published by state news agency SPA. During the meeting in Jeddah, Prince Mohammed expressed Saudi support for international efforts to resolve the crisis in Ukraine and achieve peace, SPA reported.
Zawya
04-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Keeta becomes official global supporter for the AFC Asian Qualifiers 2026
Riyadh – Keeta, the international subsidiary of Meituan, China's on-demand delivery giant, has signed on as the Official Global Supporter for four matches in the AFC Asian Qualifiers 2026, reinforcing its commitment to enhancing fan experiences across the region. As part of this strategic partnership, Keeta will gain premier visibility during four key matches—two in Saudi Arabia and two in Bahrain and Japan. The sponsorship kicks off with the highly anticipated China vs. Saudi Arabia match on March 20 at King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh. The second Saudi-hosted match, set for June, will be announced in due course. "Football has the power to unite people, and at Keeta, we're excited to be part of that energy. Partnering with the AFC allows us to connect with fans in a meaningful way while delivering a seamless food experience that complements the thrill of the game," said Tony Qiu, CEO of Keeta and VP of International Business at Meituan. "We look forward to engaging with audiences through special promotions and activations that bring together two universal passions—great food and great football." AFC General Secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John said: 'With a record minimum of eight Asian teams poised to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026, the worldwide focus on the expanded AFC Asian Qualifiers™ – Road to 26 format has never been stronger. 'We are delighted to welcome Keeta to our family of valued partners, and we look forward to working with them to create more engaging and historic moments for our passionate fanbase of Asian football.' Keeta's branding will be prominently featured in match broadcasts, digital and social media campaigns, and stadium advertising, strengthening its presence in the sports and entertainment ecosystem. With a vast network of over 15,000 riders and partnerships with thousands of restaurants across the Kingdom, Keeta continues to prioritize convenience, quality, and reliability for its customers. This partnership aligns with Keeta's strategy to enhance its engagement with the Saudi community and support major sporting events that reflect the Kingdom's aspirations in the sports sector, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to improve quality of life and promote sports and entertainment activities. Fans attending the Saudi-hosted matches can look forward to exclusive Keeta promotions and a frictionless ordering experience, ensuring their matchday excitement is perfectly paired with their favorite meals. About Keeta Keeta is a technology-driven delivery platform that connects consumers with local food and retail merchants and couriers. With the mission of "We help people eat better, live better," Keeta is committed to providing localized high-quality products and services, benefiting consumers, food and retail merchants and couriers from the entire ecosystem. Keeta was launched by Meituan ( which owns China's leading food delivery platform Meituan Waimai. About Asia Football Group Asia Football Group (AFG) is the exclusive commercial agency for the Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) competitions from 2023-2028. AFG's partnership with the AFC covers the commercial rights for all major AFC National Team and Club competitions, including the AFC Asian Cup™, AFC Asian Qualifiers™, AFC Women's Asian Cup™, AFC Women's Olympic Qualifiers, AFC Champions League Elite™, AFC Women's Champions League™, and AFC Champions League Two™ as well as AFC youth and futsal competitions.
Leaders
19-02-2025
- Politics
- Leaders
Putin Grateful to Saudi Arabia for Hosting US-Russia Talks
The Russian President, Vladimir Putin, expressed his gratitude to Saudi Arabia's leadership for hosting a high-level meeting between Russia and the US in Riyadh, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). On Wednesday, Putin thanked the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman, for hosting the US-Russia talks in Riyadh. Saudi-hosted Talks Speaking to reporters, the Russian President said: 'I would like to thank Saudi Arabia's leadership, King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, not only for hosting this high-level meeting between Russia and the US, but also for creating a very friendly atmosphere.' On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia hosted high-level US-Russia talks, upon the directives of the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, as part of the Kingdom's efforts to promote international peace and security, according to a statement by the Saudi Foreign Ministry. US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia The meeting aimed to pave the way for a summit between the US President, Donald Trump, and the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, to restore US-Russia ties and put an end to the war in Ukraine. Positive Outcomes Putin also noted that he appreciated the outcome of the talks in Riyadh. 'I've been briefed on the talks. I appreciate them. There is a result,' he said as quoted by the Russian news agency TASS. The Russian President also said he is happy about meeting Trump. 'I will be happy to meet with Donald. We haven't seen each other for a very long time,' he said. 'We need to make sure that our teams prepare issues that are extremely important for both the US and Russia, including on the Ukrainian track, in order to reach solutions that are acceptable to both sides,' Putin added. US Appreciation On the other hand, the US State Department thanked Saudi Arabia for hosting these landmark talks, calling them 'an important step forward' to establish enduring peace. Sergei Lavrov and Marco Rubio in Riyadh The US State Secretary, Marco Rubio, also thanked the Saudi Crown Prince for hosting the talks. He said that the meeting with Russian officials in Riyadh was the 'first step of a long and difficult journey, with the goal of a fair and enduring end to the war in Ukraine.' Rubio added that the European Union (EU) would get involved at some point and that no one was being sidelined. Short link : Post Views: 1
