United News of Bangladesh

Forces backed by a Saudi-led military coalition have recaptured several key areas near the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait from Iran-backed Houthi rebels, Yemeni officials said, as fighting intensified along Yemen’s western coast. The Houthis, meanwhile, claimed to have launched missile and drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities, airports and military bases. Yemeni officials said government-allied forces retook the strategic town of Dhubab, just north of the strait, which connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and serves as a major international shipping route. The forces also captured the towns of Bab and Hadeid, the officials said on Monday, speaking on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to talk to reporters. Witnesses reported seeing government troops and tanks entering the towns. The offensive began early Monday with air support from the Saudi-led coalition. Houthi military spokesman Brig Gen Yahya Saree said in a prerecorded statement that the rebels used ballistic and cruise missiles and drones to target King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and an oil refinery in Rabigh, a Red Sea city. He also claimed attacks on Abha airport, military facilities in Khamis Mushait and other strategic sites in Najran and Jizan. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the Saudi-backed Yemeni government was expected to retaliate against the Houthis to regain lost territory. Asked whether the operation had been coordinated with Washington, Rubio said Saudi Arabia and the United States had a defence agreement but declined to provide further details. He said Saudi Arabia had the right to defend itself following Houthi attacks and the loss of government-controlled territory. US warns citizens of possible attacks The United States has provided support to Saudi Arabia in its campaign against the Houthis, including intelligence sharing, target identification and operational planning, according to a regional official and a US official who spoke anonymously because they were not authorised to comment publicly. Washington had supported the Saudi-led coalition during the early years of Yemen’s war before withdrawing from the coalition in subsequent years. The US Embassy in Riyadh urged American citizens to remain alert to possible drone and missile attacks. The latest offensive came shortly after the Houthis announced further territorial gains in southwestern Yemen, including the capture of a key town as they advanced towards an important provincial capital. Saudi-led coalition spokesman Maj Gen Turki al-Malki said 100 fighter jets were supporting government forces. He added that the coalition had secured air protection over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and destroyed hundreds of Houthi targets. Pakistan, Turkey agree to send forces to Saudi Arabia On Monday, the foreign and defence ministers of Pakistan and Turkey agreed with Saudi Arabia to deploy military forces to the kingdom under their defence pact. A joint statement issued by Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry after an emergency meeting in Riyadh did not specify the number of troops, the countries that would contribute them or the deployment schedule. The three countries condemned what they described as attempted attacks on the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, along with continued attacks on Saudi cities, civilian facilities and economic infrastructure. The statement did not identify those responsible. Fighting escalates after Houthi capture of key town The latest escalation has reignited Yemen’s civil war following a four-year ceasefire. The Houthis captured Turbah on Sunday. The town lies on a major road connecting Taiz, the provincial capital, with the port city of Aden, which serves as the interim seat of Yemen’s internationally recognised government. Turbah has long been an important position for government forces defending Taiz. The rebels had earlier captured several villages and areas on the outskirts of Taiz, raising concerns that they could encircle the country’s third-largest city. The Houthis made rapid advances along Yemen’s western Red Sea coast in early September, capturing the strategic city of Mokha and several Red Sea islands. These gains enabled them to control Yemen’s side of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, through which around 12% of global trade passes. The Saudi-backed government announced on Sunday that it was mobilising troops across areas under its control. Rashad al-Alimi, head of the Presidential Leadership Council, said in a televised address that the military operations aimed to recover the remaining territories held by the Houthis. He also urged the international community to support his government. Hours later, coalition spokesman al-Malki pledged full military support for Yemeni government forces until the Houthis were eliminated. Government launches ‘Yemen Dawn’ operation In a post on X on Monday, al-Alimi said an operation dubbed “Yemen Dawn” had begun to restore state institutions, retake Sanaa, the rebel-controlled capital, and end what he called the Houthi militia’s coup. Al-Nazili said government forces were conducting a strategic offensive towards Sanaa. Houthi media outlets reported multiple airstrikes on rebel-held areas, including the capital. The capture of Turbah could make it harder for government forces to reinforce troops and deliver supplies to front-line positions across Taiz province, including the provincial capital, according to the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War. Conflict takes a heavy humanitarian toll Yemen’s civil war began in 2014 when the Houthis advanced from their northern stronghold, seized Sanaa and forced the government into exile in Saudi Arabia. The conflict has caused one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises and killed more than 150,000 people over the years. According to the World Health Organization, the latest round of fighting has killed at least 959 people and injured more than 4,200 others. The UN migration agency said the violence had forced around 174,097 people to flee their homes within Yemen, while more than 3,000 others had crossed the sea to Djibouti. Last week, Yemen’s Health Ministry, which operates under the internationally recognised government, warned that the conflict was disrupting healthcare services and putting medical workers at risk across Taiz province. In a statement on Friday, the ministry said healthcare facilities in the province’s coastal, western and southern areas had either closed or were operating only partially.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced on Thursday that the kingdom aims to invest $600 billion in the United States over the next four years. His remarks followed former President Donald Trump's earlier mention of Saudi Arabia as his potential first foreign visit since re-entering office. Trump's initial trip abroad in 2017 broke tradition, as U.S. presidents usually visit the United Kingdom first. His visit to Saudi Arabia emphasized the close ties between his administration and Gulf rulers, with Trump’s real estate company also pursuing ventures in the region. The state-run Saudi Press Agency reported that the crown prince shared the kingdom's plans to expand investments and trade with the U.S. during a phone call with Trump. While specific areas for the investments were not detailed, Saudi Arabia has been reducing its reliance on oil exports to the U.S., shifting focus toward investments in American businesses and sports. Trump administration shuts down White House Spanish-language pages The White House has yet to release a statement on the call. It is unclear whether this was Trump's first conversation with a foreign leader since re-entering the White House. In a separate call, the crown prince also spoke with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Trump, discussing his travel plans on Monday after his inauguration, hinted at revisiting Saudi Arabia as his first foreign destination, as in 2017. He said, “I went to Saudi Arabia last time because they committed to purchasing $450 billion worth of our products. If they agree to buy another $450 billion or $500 billion, adjusted for inflation, I’d likely go again.” Trump defends pardons for rioters and suggests Proud Boys could have place in politics The 2017 visit sparked a diplomatic rift, leading to a yearslong blockade of Qatar by Saudi Arabia and three other Arab countries. Trump maintained close ties with Saudi Arabia throughout his presidency, despite global criticism over the involvement of Prince Mohammed in the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul. Talks between Saudi Arabia and the Biden administration have since centered on a broader agreement for Riyadh to formally recognize Israel in exchange for U.S. security guarantees and other benefits.

Saudi Arabian Ambassador in Dhaka Essa Yousef Essa Alduhailan on Sunday paid a courtesy call on President Abdul Hamid at Bangabhaban here this evening. The ambassador handed over two greeting letters to the president on the occasion of "Bangladesh Independence and National Day" from King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammad Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia. President's Press Secretary Joynal Abedin told UNB that they wished for continued development and progress of the government and people of Bangladesh in a letter. The president said Bangladesh's relationship with Saudi Arabia is very excellent. This relationship is expanding in several areas, he added. About Saudi Arabian commerce minister's visit to Bangladesh recently, the President said this visit has opened a door of novel possibilities in the field of bilateral ties between the two countries.He said there is ample opportunity to increase trade and investment between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia. Expressing gratitude to Saudi Arabia for providing assistance to Rohingyas, taken shelter in Bangladesh earlier forcibly displaced from Myanmar, Hamid hopedthis cooperation Saudi Arabia will continue in the future and Saudi Arabia would continue to exert pressure on Myanmar to ensure a safe and dignified repatriation of the Rohingyas.  

After hosting talks at which Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed to reestablish diplomatic relations, China said Saturday it has no hidden motives and isn’t trying to fill any “vacuum” in the Middle East. The agreement announced Friday to reestablish Iran-Saudi ties and reopen embassies after seven years was seen as a major diplomatic victory for China, as Gulf Arab states perceive the United States as reducing its presence in the Middle East. The Foreign Ministry quoted an unidentified spokesperson as saying China “pursues no selfish interest whatsoever” and opposes geopolitical competition in the region. Also Read: Negotiated with China, rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran agree to resume ties China will continue to support Mideast countries in “resolving differences through dialogue and consultation to jointly promote lasting peace and stability,” the spokesperson said. “We respect the stature of Middle East countries as the masters of this region and oppose geopolitical competition in the Middle East,” said the statement posted on the Foreign Ministry's website. “China has no intention to and will not seek to fill so-called vacuum or put up exclusive blocs,” it said, in an apparent reference to the U.S. “China will continue to contribute its insights and proposals to realizing peace and tranquility in the Middle East and play its role as a responsible major country in this process.” Following Friday's announcement, China's senior diplomat Wang Yi said the agreement showed China was a "reliable mediator" that had “faithfully fulfilled its duties as the host.” Notably, Wang also stated that “this world has more than just the Ukraine question and there are still many issues affecting peace and people's lives.” China has been heavily criticized for failing to condemn Russia's invasion and for accusing the U.S. and NATO of provoking the conflict. A Chinese proposal calling for a cease-fire and peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine went nowhere, largely because of China's perceived backing of Russia. However, in the Middle East, China is viewed as a neutral party, with strong ties to both Iran and Saudi Arabia, as well as Israel and the Palestinian Authority. China last month hosted Iran’s hard-line President Ebrahim Raisi, and is a top purchaser of Saudi oil. Chinese leader Xi Jinping visited Riyadh in December for meetings with oil-rich Gulf Arab nations crucial to China’s energy supplies, and China's special envoy for the Middle East — a position specially created in 2002 — has made frequent trips to the region. China sells drones and other weaponry to countries in the region, but nowhere on the scale of the United States. In coordination with fellow authoritarian state Russia, China has sought to steadily chip away at the U.S.-led Western liberal order, taking advantage of opportunities when Washington's attention has strayed. Earlier, it moved aggressively to build ties in the South Pacific, signing a security agreement with the Solomon Islands that could see Chinese naval ships and security forces taking up a presence in the country. The U.S., Australia and others moved swiftly to shore up ties in the Pacific, and China's efforts to ink similar agreements with other island nations ultimately foundered. Xi, whose administration in recent days has warned of “conflict and confrontation” with the U.S., was credited in a trilateral statement with facilitating the Iran-Saudi talks through a “noble initiative” and having personally agreed to sponsor the negotiations that lasted from Monday through Friday.

Syria on Saturday welcomed the agreement reached between Iran and Saudi Arabia to reestablish diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies saying it will lead to more stability in the region. Iran has been a main backer of President Bashar Assad’s government, while Saudi Arabia supports opposition fighters trying to remove him from power. Iran and Saudi Arabia agreed Friday to reestablish diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies after seven years of tensions. The major diplomatic breakthrough negotiated with China decreases the likelihood of armed conflict between the regional rivals, both directly and in proxy conflicts. The deal was struck in Beijing amid China's ceremonial National People’s Congress. It represents a major diplomatic victory for the Chinese as Gulf Arab states perceive the United States to be slowly withdrawing from the wider Middle East. It also comes as diplomats have been trying to end Yemen's lengthy conflict, in which both Iran and Saudi Arabia are deeply entrenched. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has wanted to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia, but the deal with Iran, Israel's arch-rival, will complicate that. It also could make Israel feel more alone if it decides to carry out a military strike against Iran’s nuclear program as it creeps closer to weapons-grade levels. Also Read: Negotiated with China, rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran agree to resume ties Syria’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the agreement in a statement calling it an “important step that will lead to strengthening security and stability in the region.” It added that the agreement will also lead to cooperation that will “reflect positively on the common interests of the peoples of the two countries in particular and the peoples of the region in general.” After the Feb. 6 earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria, killing more than 50,000 people including more than 6,000 in Syria, Saudi Arabia was one of several Arab countries that delivered aid to government-held parts of Syria. The Saudi Foreign Ministry admitted this week that there is a “consensus growing” among Gulf monarchies and other Arab countries that isolating Damascus is not working and dialogue is necessary. Syria’s membership in the Arab League, a confederation of Arab administrations, was suspended in 2011 for its brutal crackdown on protesters. Syria’s conflict, which enters its 13th year next week, has killed nearly half a million people and displaced half the country’s pre-war population of 23 million.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday offered land for increased investment from Saudi Arabia in the country's Special Economic Zone (SEZ). She also invited Saudi Arabia to set up an oil refinery in Bangladesh where all kinds of oil including crude can be refined. The premier made the offers when a nine-member delegation led by visiting Saudi Minister of Commerce Dr Majeed bin Abdullah Alkussabi met her at Ganabhaban here this evening PM's Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters after the meeting. During the meeting, the PM discussed with the Saudi minister about the enhancement of businesses of both the countries for mutual interest. The Saudi minister said key investors of his country are keen to invest in Bangladesh, particularly in renewable energy sector, according to the press secretary. In this context, he urged the prime minister to ease the investment proceess in Bangladesh by addressing the brueacratic delays. The prime minister, in reply, said she has already asked the officials concenned to take required measures to simplify and quicken the invement process, said the press secretary. The PM said there are huge markets in the neighboiring countries, adding that her government has been working to ease the transportion of goods by setting up connectivity on all the modes, including the waterways. Read more: PM to inaugurate Bangladesh Business Summit on Saturday The premier said the government has taken measures in dredging the rivers to enhance their navigability through the wayerways. She said her government wants to build an Arabic Language Institute to facilitate Bangladeshi workers to know the language well before going to Saudi Arabia so they can easily communicate with Arabic speaking people. She said her country is eagerly waiting to receive the KSA Crown Prince when the Saudi minister said their Crown Prince is intetested to visit Bangladesh. The Saudi minister invited the PM Hasina to visit Saudi Arabia to perform the Umrah. The Saudi minister highly praised Bangladesh's remarlable progress and development under the dynamic leadership of PM Sheikh Hasina. The premier also appreciated the fast development of Saudib Arabia. Talking about Rohingya crisis, the KSA minister described Hasina as the Mother of Humanity. KSA minister Dr Majeed said there are enormous potential of Saudi investment in Bangladesh, noting "We can share our experience in the field of business with Bangladesh." He said in the last 10 months as many as 6.50 lakh Bangladeshi went to Saudi Arabia with jobs. PM's Private Industry and Investment Affairs Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, Principal Secretary M Tofazzel Hossain Miah and Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) to Bangladesh Essa bin Yousef Al Duhailan were present during the meeting.

A 65-year-old Saudi expatriate was killed Saturday night in the capital when a train struck him in Malibagh's Gulbagh, police said. The deceased was identified as date trader Md Shahabuddin from Noakhali. Also, he had a permanent residence in Uttara Sector 14. "The accident occurred at 9:30pm as Shahabuddin was walking along the railroad tracks while talking on his mobile phone. He was critically injured as a Tongi-bound train hit him while crossing the tracks," Bacchu Mia, in-charge of Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) Police Outpost, said. "The date trader was declared dead at 11pm after being rushed to DMCH. The body has been kept at the hospital morgue for autopsy," he added. Read more: Youth dies after being hit by moving train  

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi on Thursday said the commerce minister of Saudi Arabia will join ‘Bangladesh Business Summit-2023’ organised by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) in March this year on the occasion of its 50th  anniversary. Saudi ambassador to Dhaka Essa Yousef Essa Alduhailan confirmed it with the commerce minister Tipu Munshi during a views exchange meeting at Bangladesh Secretariat  on Thursday. The Ambassador of Saudi Arabia said that Bangladesh is a friendly country of Saudi Arabia. The fraternal and commercial relations with Bangladesh are long-standing. “Saudi Arabia is a development partner of Bangladesh. Saudi Arabia gives more importance to Bangladesh in terms of investment and trade,” he said. Minister of Commerce of Saudi Arabia Majid bin Abdullah Al Qasabi along with a large delegation will join the business summit. Bangladesh Business Summit 2023, scheduled for March 11-13, 2023, is an international trade and investment promotion event. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the event. In the meeting, Tipu Munshi said that Saudi Arabia is a very good friend and brotherly nation of Bangladesh. He urged more Saudi investment and better bilateral trade. Senior officials of the commerce ministry and the Saudi Embassy in Dhaka were present at the meeting. Read more: Bangladesh, China can benefit from better coordination: FBCCI

A Saudi court has sentenced a doctoral student to 34 years in prison for spreading “rumors” and retweeting dissidents, according to court documents obtained Thursday, a decision that has drawn growing global condemnation. Activists and lawyers consider the sentence against Salma al-Shehab, a mother of two and a researcher at Leeds University in Britain, shocking even by Saudi standards of justice. So far unacknowledged by the kingdom, the ruling comes amid Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s crackdown on dissent even as his rule granted women the right to drive and other new freedoms in the ultraconservative Islamic nation. Al-Shehab was detained during a family vacation on Jan. 15, 2021, just days before she planned to return to the United Kingdom, according to the Freedom Initiative, a Washington-based human rights group. Al-Shehab told judges she had been held for over 285 days in solitary confinement before her case was even referred to court, the legal documents obtained by The Associated Press show. The Freedom Initiative describes al-Shehab as a member of Saudi Arabia’s Shiite Muslim minority, which has long complained of systematic discrimination in the Sunni-ruled kingdom. “Saudi Arabia has boasted to the world that they are improving women’s rights and creating legal reform, but there is no question with this abhorrent sentence that the situation is only getting worse,” said Bethany al-Haidari, the group’s Saudi case manager. Leading human rights watchdog Amnesty International on Thursday slammed al-Shehab’s trial as “grossly unfair” and her sentence as “cruel and unlawful.” Read: : Khashoggi killing: CIA did not blame Saudi crown prince, says Trump Since rising to power in 2017, Prince Mohammed has accelerated efforts to diversify the kingdom’s economy away from oil with massive tourism projects — most recently plans to create the world’s longest buildings that would stretch for more than 100 miles in the desert. But he has also faced criticism over his arrests of those who fail to fall in line, including dissidents and activists but also princes and businessmen. Judges accused al-Shehab of “disturbing public order” and “destabilizing the social fabric” — claims stemming solely from her social media activity, according to an official charge sheet. They alleged al-Shehab followed and retweeted dissident accounts on Twitter and “transmitted false rumors.” The specialized criminal court handed down the unusually harsh 34-year sentence under Saudi counterterrorism and cybercrime laws, to be followed by a 34-year travel ban. The decision came earlier this month as al-Shehab appealed her initial sentence of six years. “The (six-year) prison sentence imposed on the defendant was minor in view of her crimes,” a state prosecutor told the appeals court. “I’m calling to amend the sentence in light of her support for those who are trying to cause disorder and destabilize society, as shown by her following and retweeting (Twitter) accounts.” The Saudi government in Riyadh, as well as its embassies in Washington and London, did not respond to a request for comment. Leeds University confirmed that al-Shehab was in her final year of doctoral studies at the medical school. “We are deeply concerned to learn of this recent development in Salma’s case and we are seeking advice on whether there is anything we can do to support her,” the university said. Al-Shehab’s sentencing also drew the attention of Washington, where the State Department said Wednesday it was “studying the case.” “Exercising freedom of expression to advocate for the rights of women should not be criminalized, it should never be criminalized,” State Department spokesperson Ned Price said. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom expressed concern on Twitter Thursday that the kingdom targeted al-Shehab “for her peaceful activism in solidarity w/political prisoners,” as well as for her Shiite identity. Last month, U.S. President Joe Biden traveled to the oil-rich kingdom and held talks with Prince Mohammed in which he said he raised human rights concerns. Their meeting — and much-criticized fist-bump — marked a sharp turn-around from Biden’s earlier vow to make the kingdom a “pariah” over the 2018 killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. During her appeal, al-Shehab said the harsh judgement was tantamount to the “destruction of me, my family, my future, and the future of my children.” She has two young boys, aged 4 and 6. She told judges she had no idea that simply retweeting posts “out of curiosity and to observe others’ viewpoints,” from a personal account with no more than 2,000 followers, constituted terrorism.  

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al Saud on Wednesday said they are extremely optimistic about the future of Bangladesh and the two countries will work together to expand their cooperation. “I think there is a lot to be done,” he told reporters after his meeting with Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen at a city hotel, noting that the two countries have a clear target to work together to that end. Momen led an eight-member Bangladesh delegation while the six-member Saudi delegation was led by its foreign minister at the first-ever "Political Consultations" between the two countries.  Responding to a question, the Saudi foreign minister said they are committed to a “stable” oil market and all indications say there is no concern regarding the oil supply. He said that they are “very optimistic” about the future of this relationship with Bangladesh. “We just had an excellent political consultation.” Most importantly, he said they explored how they can expand the partnership as the two countries enjoy a historic strong relationship. “We’re committed to building up on this strong foundation to a much broader partnership. We see significant interest in the Saudi companies’ presence here," he said. Among the issues that came up for review and discussion were increased bilateral trade and investment, recruitment of skilled manpower, Hajj management, education, health, environment and climate change, ICT and tourism, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  Read:Bangladesh wants to be partner of Saudi's green initiative Prince Faisal stressed the need for enhancing collaboration in trade and investment and stated that several Saudi companies have already invested in some sectors in Bangladesh and  other companies are considering greater engagement in various areas.  He sought policy and institutional support from the Bangladesh side. The Saudi FM also suggested  launching a joint business forum and exchange of business delegation between the two countries to augment bilateral trade and business.  Momen said they are very proud to see this high level political consultation for the first time. He said some 20 Saudi companies have shown interest to invest in Bangladesh. Bangladesh has assured of providing required facilities in the economic zones, he said. Momen said they also discussed food security issues noting that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has put a lot of emphasis on this. He said the Saudi side assured of hassle-free clearance of visas for 100 percent hajj applicants. The Saudi foreign minister arrived in Dhaka on a brief official visit on Tuesday evening.