Somalia and Saudi Arabia announced on Monday, February 9, the signing of a defense cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening military collaboration between the two nations. The accord was signed by Somali Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi and Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman. According to Somalia’s Ministry of Defense, the agreement will enhance defense and military cooperation and create opportunities for joint activities in areas of mutual interest.

The signing took place as the region, located at the junction of the Indian Ocean and the Suez Canal, continues to draw heightened attention from Gulf countries due to its strategic importance along one of the world’s busiest trade routes. The development also follows Israel’s recent recognition of Somaliland about six weeks earlier, a territory that declared independence in 1991 but is still claimed by Mogadishu as part of Somalia.

Prince Khalid bin Salman stated on X that he signed and witnessed several agreements during a military exhibition in Riyadh, though details of the defense deal with Somalia were not disclosed.

Saudi Arabia has started issuing visas for the 2026 Hajj season (1447 Hijri) from Sunday, according to the country’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah. The ministry said the decision aims to enhance service readiness and simplify procedures ahead of pilgrims’ arrival. All necessary service agreements for foreign pilgrims have been finalized, and accommodation contracts in Makkah have been completed through the 'Nusuk' platform. So far, about 750,000 pilgrims have registered, including 30,000 who booked Hajj packages directly from their home countries.

For international pilgrims, around 485 camps have been allocated across the holy sites, and 73 Hajj offices have completed initial preparations. In Bangladesh, both government and private pilgrims must undergo health checks at government hospitals and receive vaccinations before obtaining a fitness certificate. As per Saudi guidelines, visa applications must be submitted between February 8 and March 20 with the certificate. The Ministry of Religious Affairs stated that no one will be allowed to perform Hajj without it.

Based on moon sighting, the Hajj is expected to take place on May 26, with flights beginning on April 18.

French forward Karim Benzema made a spectacular debut for Al Hilal, scoring a hat-trick and providing an assist in a 6-0 victory over Al Akhdoud in the Saudi Pro League on Thursday night. The 38-year-old striker, who recently transferred from Al Ittihad to Al Hilal on the final day of the winter transfer window, opened the scoring in the 31st minute with a backheel finish. He added two more goals in the second half before assisting Brazilian forward Malcom.

Benzema was substituted in the 71st minute by Italian coach Simone Inzaghi, but Al Hilal continued their dominance as Salem Al-Dawsari scored twice to complete the rout. The match marked a strong start for Benzema at his new club, which is also the former team of Neymar Jr. The Frenchman expressed his delight after the match, saying the team played well, scored many goals, and conceded none.

The emphatic win highlighted Benzema’s seamless adaptation to Al Hilal and raised expectations for his performance in the remainder of the season.

Saudi Arabia has begun allowing wealthy non-Muslim foreign residents to buy alcohol, easing a 73-year-old ban. The change follows the 2024 opening of a liquor store in Riyadh’s diplomatic quarter for foreign diplomats. By late 2025, new rules were quietly introduced permitting affluent non-Muslim expatriates to purchase beer, wine, and spirits from the same outlets.

To qualify, buyers must hold a premium residency permit costing 100,000 riyals annually or earn at least 50,000 riyals per month. Muslim expatriates remain barred from purchasing alcohol, and buyers must present their residency card and declare their religion at the store. The policy marks a significant shift in the kingdom’s long-standing restrictions on alcohol sales.

Saudi Arabia originally banned alcohol in 1952. The recent relaxation is part of broader social and economic reforms aimed at reshaping the country’s image as more moderate and investment-friendly.

Newly released documents from the US Department of Justice suggest that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein closely monitored Saudi Arabia’s 2017 anti-corruption crackdown led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The documents include an email exchange from November 4, 2017, in which an unidentified person advised Epstein to watch the situation in Saudi Arabia. Epstein asked whether it was a missile attack or an anti-corruption campaign, and was told it was the latter. A newly published photograph also shows Epstein smiling beside the Saudi crown prince.

The crackdown, launched in early November 2017, saw numerous wealthy businessmen and royal family members detained at Riyadh’s Ritz-Carlton Hotel. While the crown prince described it as an anti-corruption effort, reports indicated that billions of dollars were extracted from detainees, and some who refused to pay were imprisoned. The Wall Street Journal reported that several detainees were physically mistreated.

The documents further indicate that Epstein was closely following Gulf region politics and had possible connections with senior Saudi officials. An earlier email exchange with a New York Times journalist also referenced Epstein’s claimed Saudi contacts, raising new questions about his international network.

Sheikh Bandar Balilah, Imam and Khatib of Masjid al-Haram, has been appointed as the official Mufti of the Makkah region. The appointment was announced on Tuesday with the approval of Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti, Sheikh Dr. Saleh Al-Fawzan. The decision is part of a broader initiative dividing the country into eight regions, each overseen by a senior scholar to ensure reliable sources for issuing fatwas.

Sheikh Al-Fawzan congratulated Sheikh Balilah, noting that his experience and knowledge would enrich religious research and benefit worshippers and pilgrims visiting the two holy mosques. Sheikh Balilah was born in Makkah in 1975 and holds degrees in Islamic law and jurisprudence from Umm al-Qura University and a PhD from the University of Madinah.

Before his new appointment, Sheikh Balilah served as Imam of Masjid al-Haram since 2013 and previously led prayers in several other mosques in Makkah.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s future with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr has become uncertain after reports of his growing dissatisfaction with the club’s management. Portuguese media outlets, including A Bola and Record, reported that the 40-year-old forward refused to play in a recent league match, citing perceived neglect of Al Nassr compared to other Public Investment Fund-owned clubs such as Al Hilal and Al Ittihad. The reports suggest Ronaldo is contemplating leaving Al Nassr, with potential destinations including Major League Soccer or a return to Europe.

According to Record, Ronaldo believes his contributions to raising the global profile of the Saudi Pro League have not been adequately recognized. His frustration reportedly deepened after Al Hilal signed Karim Benzema, a move he found disappointing. Despite his discontent, Ronaldo remains focused on winning his first Saudi league title and reaching the 1,000-goal milestone in his career.

The reports indicate that Ronaldo could leave Al Nassr as early as June, though his next move remains uncertain. Analysts suggest the coming weeks will be crucial in determining his future.

French forward Karim Benzema has joined Saudi Pro League leaders Al-Hilal on an 18-month free transfer after terminating his contract with Al-Ittihad. The club confirmed the move in an official statement on Monday. Local media reported that Benzema decided to leave after rejecting Al-Ittihad’s offer to extend his contract. His recent absence from two consecutive league matches had fueled speculation about his future.

Benzema enjoyed a successful spell with Jeddah-based Al-Ittihad, leading the team to both the Saudi Pro League title and the King’s Cup last season, marking the club’s first domestic double. The 38-year-old striker joined Al-Ittihad in 2023 after 14 years with Real Madrid. In a message on social media platform X, he expressed pride in representing the club and gratitude for the experience.

This season, Benzema scored 16 goals in 21 appearances across all competitions for Al-Ittihad. Al-Hilal currently tops the league table with 47 points, one point ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, while Al-Ittihad sits sixth with 34 points.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has suspended contracts with 1,800 foreign Umrah travel agencies due to shortcomings in their operations and service quality. The ministry announced the decision on Sunday, stating that the agencies failed to meet required performance standards following a periodic evaluation.

According to the ministry, the agencies were assessed for efficiency and service quality, and deficiencies were identified in both areas. Each agency has been given ten days to improve performance and correct the issues. The ministry described the move as a regulatory measure aimed at ensuring compliance with approved standards and allowing agencies to rectify their shortcomings.

The ministry further clarified that if the agencies meet the required conditions within the given timeframe, their contracts will be reinstated. It also assured that the suspension will not affect visas or existing bookings for Umrah pilgrims. Earlier evaluations had found that out of approximately 5,800 Umrah operators, 1,800 showed performance and service gaps.

A source close to the Saudi military confirmed that Turkey will not join the potential mutual defense agreement between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Speaking to AFP on Saturday, the source dismissed reports of a trilateral alliance involving Turkey as unfounded. The New Arab also cited the source as saying that the agreement with Pakistan is strictly bilateral. A Gulf official echoed this, noting that while Saudi Arabia maintains separate agreements with Turkey, the defense relationship with Pakistan will remain bilateral.

Earlier this month, a Turkish official had claimed that discussions were underway for Turkey to join a Saudi-Pakistan defense alliance, sparking speculation across the region. Analysts linked the rumors to heightened tensions following Israeli airstrikes in Doha targeting Hamas officials and an Iranian bombing of a U.S. airbase in Qatar. These incidents have intensified regional instability.

The Saudi-Pakistan defense agreement, announced last year, has drawn scrutiny over its potential nuclear dimension, given Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities. The deal followed a deadly four-day conflict between Pakistan and India, during which over 70 people were killed.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has declared that the kingdom will not permit the use of its airspace or territory for any military operation against Iran. The statement came during a phone conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, as reported by Saudi state news agency SPA on Tuesday, January 28, 2026. The crown prince emphasized that Saudi Arabia supports dialogue-based solutions to regional disputes and prioritizes diplomacy over conflict.

According to Iranian media, President Pezeshkian told the Saudi crown prince that Tehran welcomes any process under international law that helps avoid war. The United Arab Emirates had earlier announced a similar stance, refusing to allow its airspace or waters to be used for military actions against Iran. The developments come amid heightened regional tension following U.S. President Donald Trump’s statement that a military armada was moving toward Iran, though he expressed hope it would not be used.

Human rights groups have alleged that thousands were killed in Iran’s recent protest crackdowns, calling it the worst since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, claims denied by Iranian authorities.

Saudi Arabia is significantly reducing the scope and size of its ambitious Neom megaproject following a year-long internal review. According to a Financial Times report cited on Sunday, the project’s cost has been cut and its design reworked. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is now pursuing a smaller development plan due to delays, rising expenses, and technical challenges. The Neom project, launched in 2017 as part of the kingdom’s economic transformation plan, spans the Red Sea coast and includes the futuristic city concept known as “The Line,” which is now being redesigned and downsized.

Sources told the Financial Times that “The Line” may be converted into a conventional project using existing infrastructure, while Neom could evolve into a data center hub as Saudi Arabia seeks a stronger role in the global artificial intelligence sector. The review comes amid lower oil prices and a government cost-cutting drive, as the country prepares for major events such as Riyadh Expo 2030 and the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

Several subprojects, including the Trojena ski resort and the Oxagon industrial zone, are being scaled back or redesigned to align with Saudi Arabia’s current economic realities.

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior has announced the deportation of more than 14,000 foreign nationals following a week-long nationwide campaign targeting violations of residency, labor, and border laws. The operation, conducted from January 15 to 21, led to the detention of approximately 18,200 individuals across the country. Among them, 11,400 were accused of violating residency laws, around 4,000 of breaching border regulations, and nearly 2,800 of breaking labor laws.

Authorities also detained 1,762 people attempting to enter Saudi Arabia illegally, about half of whom were Yemeni and more than half Ethiopian nationals. Another 46 individuals were caught trying to leave the country illegally, while 11 others were arrested for allegedly transporting, sheltering, or employing undocumented migrants. Legal proceedings are ongoing against more than 25,000 people, and many have been referred to their diplomatic missions to obtain travel documents.

The Interior Ministry warned that those aiding illegal entry, transport, or employment could face severe penalties, including long prison terms, heavy fines, confiscation of vehicles or property, and public disclosure of offenses.

Saudi Arabia has implemented a new law from January 2026 allowing foreigners to purchase houses and other properties in designated areas. Both foreign residents living in the kingdom and those residing abroad can now buy property, though ownership remains prohibited in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina. The government stated that foreigners outside Saudi Arabia will be limited to buying in Riyadh and Jeddah, with a detailed map of approved zones to be published by March.

Foreign residents can apply through an online portal using their residence permit (Iqama) number, while non-residents must first obtain a digital ID from a Saudi embassy in their home country before applying online. Property transactions will incur up to a 5% real estate tax. The law also imposes strict penalties for false information or anonymous purchases, including fines up to 10 million Saudi riyals and property confiscation.

Analysts cited in the report believe the reform could boost foreign investment in Saudi Arabia’s real estate sector and accelerate development in selected areas of Riyadh and Jeddah.

Saudi Arabia has announced that it possesses mineral resources worth about $2.5 trillion, including rare earth elements such as dysprosium, terbium, neodymium, and praseodymium. The declaration came during the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, where officials emphasized the country’s plan to expand its mining sector to reduce dependence on oil and strengthen geopolitical influence. The state-owned mining company Ma’aden also revealed plans to invest $110 billion in metals and mining over the next decade.

According to S&P Global, Saudi Arabia’s mineral exploration budget rose by 595 percent between 2021 and 2025, with faster licensing for domestic and international firms. Experts, however, cautioned that extraction and processing take years, with processing plants requiring three to five years to build, and sometimes more than 20 years. SAFE Minerals Center’s executive director Abigail Hunter noted that China remains far ahead of the United States in this sector due to decades of strategic investment and state-backed projects.

Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 identifies mining as a key pillar for economic diversification, and experts believe the country’s growing infrastructure could make it a regional hub for mineral processing.