Saudi Arabia’s air defences intercepted and shot down two drones over the kingdom’s Eastern Region, authorities said. The drones were detected entering Saudi airspace before being successfully neutralised by defence systems. Officials are investigating the origin and purpose of the drones as regional tensions remain high amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.


Saudi Arabia Intercepts & Downs 2 Drones | Drones Shot Down in Eastern Region 

For the first time an Israeli commercial plane has flown through Saudi airspace to a non-Gulf destination. The Arkia flight to Seychelles flew along the red sea shores cutting travel time by 20 minutes.

First-ever Israeli commercial flight over Saudi airspace

<p>Saudi Arabia has declared that it will ease restrictions on "all carriers" operating in&nbsp;its airspace. US President Joe Biden who will be visiting the Kingdom soon welcomed the "historic" decision as an attempt at defusing tensions with Israel. In a statement released by the White House, US&nbsp;hailed this as a result of Biden's "persistent diplomacy". US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that the decision was the outcome of the President's "persistent and principled diplomacy with Saudi Arabia over many months, culminating in his visit today," adding that Biden "commends" it.</p>

<p>He added that the US president, who is travelling to the Middle East and will arrive in Saudi Arabia later on Friday, "will have more to say on this breakthrough later today."</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;US President Biden &amp; Israeli PM Lapid sign 'Jerusalem declaration'</strong></p>

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<p>Taking to Twitter Saudi's General Authority of Civil Aviation said that it "announces the decision to open the Kingdom's airspace for all air carriers that meet the requirements of the authority for overflying".&nbsp;</p>

<p>As per the statement, the decision was made to "complement the Kingdom's efforts aimed at consolidating the Kingdom's position as a global hub connecting three continents".&nbsp;</p>

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<p>As per an AFP report, in the past, despite Israel's best attempts to forge relationships with Arab nations, Riyadh has refused to recognise the Jewish state.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-seeks-to-counter-russian-aggression-chinese-influence-through-his-visit-to-west-asia-next-week-496073">Joe Biden seeks to counter Russian aggression, Chinese influence through his visit to West Asia next week</a></strong></p>

<p>Shortly after the Abraham Accords were announced in 2020, Saudi Arabia declared that UAE planes to "all countries" could overfly the country and even permitted an Israeli plane to fly over while travelling to Abu Dhabi.</p>

<p>Following Friday's announcement, aeroplanes flying to and from Israel are no longer subject to overflight restrictions.</p>

<p>Israel has pushed for the right to use overflights to reduce connections to Asian destinations.</p>

<p>The Israeli government also wants direct flights from Israel to Saudi Arabia for Muslim pilgrims who currently have to pay for costly layover costs in other countries.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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Saudi Arabia has declared that it will ease restrictions on "all carriers" operating in its airspace. US President Joe Biden who will be visiting the Kingdom soon welcomed the "historic" decision as an attempt at defusing tensions with Israel.

Saudi Arabia has declared that it will ease restrictions on "all carriers" operating in its airspace. US President Joe Biden who will be visiting the Kingdom soon welcomed the "historic" decision as an attempt at defusing tensions with Israel. In a statement released by the White House, US hailed this as a result of Biden's "persistent diplomacy". US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that the decision was the outcome of the President's "persistent and principled diplomacy with Saudi Arabia over many months, culminating in his visit today," adding that Biden "commends" it. He added that the US president, who is travelling to the Middle East and will arrive in Saudi Arabia later on Friday, "will have more to say on this breakthrough later today." Watch | US President Biden & Israeli PM Lapid sign 'Jerusalem declaration' Taking to Twitter Saudi's General Authority of Civil Aviation said that it "announces the decision to open the Kingdom's airspace for all air carriers that meet the requirements of the authority for overflying". As per the statement, the decision was made to "complement the Kingdom's efforts aimed at consolidating the Kingdom's position as a global hub connecting three continents". pic.twitter.com/fLlNtsPkbg — هيئة الطيران المدني (@ksagaca) July 14, 2022 × As per an AFP report, in the past, despite Israel's best attempts to forge relationships with Arab nations, Riyadh has refused to recognise the Jewish state. Also read | Joe Biden seeks to counter Russian aggression, Chinese influence through his visit to West Asia next week Shortly after the Abraham Accords were announced in 2020, Saudi Arabia declared that UAE planes to "all countries" could overfly the country and even permitted an Israeli plane to fly over while travelling to Abu Dhabi. Following Friday's announcement, aeroplanes flying to and from Israel are no longer subject to overflight restrictions. Israel has pushed for the right to use overflights to reduce connections to Asian destinations. The Israeli government also wants direct flights from Israel to Saudi Arabia for Muslim pilgrims who currently have to pay for costly layover costs in other countries. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Saudi to open airspace to all including Israel, US hails decision as result of Biden's 'persistent diplomacy'

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Saudi Arabia Intercepts & Downs 2 Drones | Drones Shot Down in Eastern Region

First-ever Israeli commercial flight over Saudi airspace

Saudi to open airspace to all including Israel, US hails decision as result of Biden's 'persistent diplomacy'