Saudi Arabia set to lead the world in ecotourism and marine conservation
Shannon Klein
Boats anchored along the Red Sea coast, in Saudi Arabia. (AFP file photo)
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Saudi Arabia has embarked on a race to explore unseen parts of the Red Sea, aiming to safeguard and preserve the Kingdom’s biodiversity under Saudi Vision 2030. The Red Sea Decade Expedition — a mission that endeavored to comprehensively explore the Red Sea — has already yielded a long list of discoveries.
The discovery of blue holes in Saudi Arabian waters was among the most remarkable. At about 40 nautical miles off the coast of Al-Qunfudhah, the blue holes can be viewed from the sky as perfectly circular coral reefs that encase a distinct blue color, marking deep water inside.
We sailed toward the southern Red Sea aboard OceanXplorer — a research vessel equipped with manned submersibles, deep-sea robots, a helicopter, and other advanced technologies.
We were aware that the Farasan Bank — a submerged carbonate platform boasting the world’s third-largest coral reef system — held extraordinary structural complexity beneath the sea’s surface, but what we found exceeded our expectations.
We reviewed nautical charts of the Farasan Bank, and an area of seemingly deep water between a labyrinth of extremely shallow coral reefs caught our attention. These areas had not been mapped in more than a century, nor had they been subject to targeted scientific exploration.
Blue holes’ discovery solidifies Saudi Arabia’s status as a world-class ecotourism destination and global leader in marine conservation.
Shannon Klein
Using OceanXplorer’s helicopter, we surveyed the sea’s surface and found 10 of the blue holes during our first flight. We were not alone in our interest in these unique formations. We were joined by sea turtles, dolphins, sharks, and whales with their newly born calves. Some of these animals even showed us how to gain access to the deep waters inside.
We followed a pod of dolphins through a small channel, just deep enough for us to scrape through in a small tender vessel. Once inside, we mapped the structure of the holes, retrieved samples and deployed sensors to characterize the conditions, while OceanXplorer deployed its submersibles and robots to explore the holes’ deep outer walls.
On the outside, shallow coral reefs support a diversity of marine life. Inside, the deep water plummets to 50 meters and the outside walls extend 300 meters below the sea’s surface. The deep-sea vehicles gathered the first images of coral reefs hidden deep below the surface, reaching down as far as 130 meters.
Some marine species cannot be seen with deep-sea vehicles due to their elusive nature. We used advanced technologies to extract DNA from the water samples to catalog the marine life that makes its home in these unique ecosystems.
I had the honor of leading the research team that discovered the blue holes alongside renowned scientists Dr. Mohammed Qurban, CEO of the National Center for Wildlife, and Prof. Carlos Duarte, the scientific coordinator for the expedition. Their strong leadership forged a multinational, collaborative environment.
Aligned with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals, the National Center for Wildlife is leading the initiative to expand Saudi Arabia’s protected marine areas to include these unique ecosystems. The blue holes’ discovery solidifies Saudi Arabia’s status as a world-class ecotourism destination and global leader in marine conservation.
• Shannon Klein is a research scientist in the Tarek Ahmed Juffali Research Chair in the Red Sea Ecology research group at KAUST who focuses on environmental change in the world’s oceans and solutions for rebuilding tropical marine life. X: @Dr_ShannonKlein
Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect Arab News' point of view
Kurdish-led forces push back Turkish-backed Syrian rebels in a tense offensive
The Britain-based opposition war monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, says since the SNA’s offensive in northern Syria against the Kurds started earlier this month, dozens from both sides have been killed
Updated 3 min 30 sec ago
AP
QAMISHLI, Syria: The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces said Tuesday they have launched a counter-offensive against the Ankara-backed Syrian National Army to take back areas near Syria’s northern border with Turkiye.
The SDF is Washington’s critical ally in Syria, targeting sleeper cells of the extremist Daesh group scattered across the country’s east.
Since the fall of the totalitarian rule of Bashar Assad earlier this month, clashes have intensified between the US-backed group and the SNA, which captured the key city of Manbij and the areas surrounding it.
The intense weekslong clashes come at a time when Syria, battered by over a decade of war and economic misery, negotiates its political future following half a century under the Assad dynasty’s rule.
Ruken Jamal, spokesperson of the Women’s Protection Unit, or YPJ, under the SDF, told The Associated Press that their fighters are just over seven miles away from the center of Manbij in their ongoing counter-offensive.
She accused Ankara of trying to weaken the group’s influence in negotiations over Syria’s political future through the SNA,
“Syria is now in a new phase, and discussions are underway about the future of the country,” Jamal said. “Turkiye is trying, through its attacks, to distract us with battles and exclude us from the negotiations in Damascus.”
The Britain-based opposition war monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, says since the SNA’s offensive in northern Syria against the Kurds started earlier this month, dozens from both sides have been killed.
Ankara sees the SDF as an affiliate of its sworn enemy, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, which it classifies as a terrorist organization. Turkish-backed armed groups alongside Turkish jets for years have attacked positions where the SDF are largely present across northern Syria, in a bid to create a buffer zone free from the group along the large shared border.
While the SNA was involved in the lightning insurgency — led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham — that toppled Assad, it has continued its push against the SDF, seen as Syria’s second key actor for its political future.
On Monday, the SDF spokesperson Farhad Shami said the group’s forces pushed back the Turkish-backed rebels from areas near the Tishrin Dam on the Euphrates, a key source of hydroelectric power. He said the SDF also destroyed a tank belonging to the rebels southeast of Manbij.
The British-based war monitor said on Tuesday that the Kurdish-led group, following overnight fighting, has reclaimed four villages in the areas near the strategic dam.
Turkish jets also pounded the strategic border town of Kobani in recent days.
During Syria’s uprising-turned-conflict, the Kurds carved out an enclave of autonomous rule across northeastern Syria, never fully allying entirely with Assad in Damascus nor the rebels trying to overthrow him.
Even with the Assad family out of the picture, it appears that Ankara’s position won’t change, with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s landmark visit to Syria maintaining a strong position on the Kurdish-led group in his meeting with de facto leader Ahmad Al-Sharaa of HTS.
“It has turned the region into a cauldron of terror with PKK members and far-left groups who have come from Turkiye, Iraq, Iran and Europe,” Fidan said in a news conference after the meeting. “The international community is turning a blind eye to this lawlessness because of the wardenship it provides (against Daesh).”
With the ongoing fighting, SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi has expressed concern about a strong Daesh resurgence due to the power vacuum in Syria and the ongoing fighting, which has left the Kurdish-led group unable to carry out its attacks and raids on the extremist group’s scattered sleeper cells.
Tens of thousands of children, family members, and supporters of Daesh militants are still held in large detention centers in northeastern Syria, in areas under SDF control.
How Syria’s Christians are marking Christmas amid political change and uncertainty
Religious minorities in Syria are wary of their new rulers and their rights under a post-Assad constitution
Christmas celebrations remain subdued amid economic hardship, fuel shortages and power outages
Updated 23 min 55 sec ago
Nadia Alfaour
DUBAI: For Father Iyad Ghanem, a Catholic priest at the Syriac Archdiocese of Homs and Hama, two of Syria’s four largest cities, this Christmas represents both new beginnings and the end of a dark chapter in Syria’s history.
In the wake of the dramatic developments that led to the ousting of Syria’s long-time President Bashar Assad on Dec. 8, Christians in the country are celebrating Christmas under the transitional government of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) for the first time.
HTS, a rebel group led by Ahmad Al-Sharaa, Syria’s de facto leader, has sought to reassure minority communities, including Kurds, Alawites and Shiites, as it distances itself from its hardline Islamist roots. For many Christians, the end of the Assad era has come as a veritable Christmas gift.
“Our churches are at peace, and we, as clergymen, are free to conduct our masses. Yet, it is too early for the parish to pass judgment on HTS. The atmosphere remains uncertain, and much is left to unfold,” Father Iyad told Arab News.
“Our country and community have endured so much over the past 13 years. With this new era upon us, we must free ourselves from fear, find the voices that were silenced for so long, and eliminate radicalism in all its forms. This is all unfamiliar territory, and we are still adjusting.”
Worshippers attend Sunday Mass at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Dormition, known also as the Olive Church, in Syria's capital Damascus on December 15, 2024. (AFP)
Syria is part of a region often referred to as the “cradle of Christianity,” making it one of the earliest places in the world to host a Christian community. In the town of Maaloula, a handful of villages still speak Aramaic, the ancient dialect of Christ, to this day.
Once numbering over a million, Syria’s Christian population has dwindled to just 3 percent owing to the prolonged war that began in 2011 and the rise of Daesh in 2014. The violence and persecution left them vulnerable, forcing a large-scale exodus to Western countries.
Rassem Sairafi, a Christian from Homs, said he is optimistic about Syria’s future and hopes for a democratic and free nation.
“Many educated Syrians are returning from abroad. If they are included in the new government, I believe we will be in safe hands,” he told Arab News.
“Historically, Syria’s Sunni majority has been moderate. It was only during the war that began in 2011 that sectarianism took root. Hopefully, we can leave that behind and ensure we do not replace one dictatorship with another.”
FAST FACTS
Christianity in Syria dates back to the 1st century AD.
Before the Syrian civil war, they made up roughly 10% of the population.
The Assad regime left Syria in ruins. Its legacy is starkly evident in decimated infrastructure, a deeply entrenched corrupt political system, and a bankrupt economy that has pushed 90 percent of the population below the poverty line.
In a report for the US public broadcaster PBS on Dec. 12, correspondent Simona Foltyn said: “Streets are getting busier by the day and shops and government institutions are slowly returning to work.
“The opposition has taken over government institutions in the capital, Damascus, and has begun the task of governing the country, using its experience in Idlib as a blueprint. But administrating a whole country, as opposed to a province, is quite a different matter, and it remains to be seen how easily it can be scaled.”
She added: “Apart from the joy and relief, the mundane but vital work of making a country function is job number one for many.”
A woman walks along a street near the Greek Catholic Church of St George in Syria's northern city of Aleppo on December 12, 2024. (AFP)
With Assad’s fall, Christians face additional uncertainty as a religious minority about their fate under the country’s new rulers. They feel that their future hangs in the delicate balance of a new era and constitution.
The Christian community, like all Syrians, endured severe hardships under Assad’s regime and so regards the new government with a mix of caution and optimism.
“We are nervous because we are unsure. We do not know what the future holds,” said Rawaa, a Christian from Damascus. “But we are aware of HTS’s history. While their recent legislative decisions are comforting, we remain eager to see if they will uphold these commitments over time.”
Despite being hailed as Syria’s “liberators” and Al-Sharaa’s recent efforts to rebrand himself — shedding his military persona as Abu Mohamad Al-Jolani to adopt the image of a statesman — the country’s stability and economic recovery remain precarious.
HTS is still designated as a terrorist group by the UN, US, EU, and UK, among many others, as it started as a splinter group of Al-Qaeda, which it broke away from in 2016.
A rebel fighter stands next to a giant Christmas advertisement in central Damascus on December 9, 2024. (AFP)
Once confined to the overcrowded and impoverished northwestern region of Idlib but now acting as the self-imposed caretaker government in Damascus, HTS faces the daunting challenge of rebuilding a nation devastated by years of corruption and mismanagement under Assad.
In an effort to stave off chaos, Al-Sharaa has taken steps to restore basic services in some areas, called for the preservation of state institutions, and promoted the vision of an inclusive society and a peaceful transition to new governance.
Senior leaders of the transitional government continue to meet with representatives of various religious communities, emphasizing their commitment to protecting minority rights as part of broader efforts to reassure both Syrians and the international community.
Both Father Iyad and Rawaa voiced their aversion to the use of the term “minority” when describing their community, insisting they are an integral part of Syria’s fabric and one of the essential components that define the country.
This year, across various parts of the country, only churches have adorned their doors and squares with Christmas decorations — a gesture that Rawaa interprets as a sign of hope for the future. However, celebrations remain subdued. Many, including Rawaa’s family and friends, are opting for private gatherings.
Christian worshippers attend mass at the Roman Catholic Church of Saint Francis of Assisi (also known as the Latin Cathedral) in Syria's northern city of Aleppo on December 12, 2024. (AFP)
“My neighborhood hasn’t put up Christmas decorations since the war began 13 years ago, and this year is no different,” Rawaa told Arab News.
“But it’s not out of fear of HTS. It’s because of the shortages we face and the hardships we endure. We lack electricity, fuel, and financial resources. The population is struggling, and the festive spirit is hard to find in such conditions.”
“Our celebrations will be within our homes, with close family and friends,” Rawaa said. “This is a new experience for us. While there has been no persecution from HTS, we are proceeding cautiously. The transitional government has promised to launch awareness campaigns to combat radicalism if necessary. Time will tell if they fulfill that promise.”
Mary Bitar, a Christian from Damascus, saw reason for optimism amid the adversities in the lead-up to Christmas.
“People are out and about. No one is being harassed. We may lack Christmas lights because of the electricity shortages, but our hearts are full, and we remain hopeful,” she said.
A Syrian Christian decorates a Christmas tree at the Marist Brothers charitable association quarters in Aleppo on December 12, 2024. (AFP)
In his comments, Father Iyad emphasized that isolated acts of terrorism must be addressed before they escalate, citing a recent incident in Hama where armed men desecrated a Christian graveyard and set crosses in town squares ablaze.
“Small factions that align themselves with HTS must be controlled,” he told Arab News. “Those seeking to sow chaos must be stopped. We will not tolerate any radicalized behavior.”
Despite these challenges, Father Iyad remains steadfast in his message of hope. “My wish is for unity — a just legislation that provides equal rights to all Syrians. A peaceful, beautiful Syria for everyone.”
‘Like a dream’: AFP photographer’s return to Syria
“We didn’t dare to imagine that Assad could fall because his presence was so anchored in us,” said Al-Doumy
Award-winning photographer has spent the last few years covering migrant crisis for AFP’s Lille bureau in northern France
Updated 43 min 10 sec ago
AFP
DOUMA: AFP photographer Sameer Al-Doumy never dreamed he would be able to return to the hometown in Syria that he escaped through a tunnel seven years ago after it was besieged by Bashar Assad’s forces.
Douma, once a militant stronghold near Damascus, suffered terribly for its defiance of the former regime, and was the victim of a particularly horrific chemical weapons attack in 2018.
“It is like a dream for me today to find myself back here,” he said.
“The revolution was a dream, getting out of a besieged town and of Syria was a dream, as it is now being able to go back.
“We didn’t dare to imagine that Assad could fall because his presence was so anchored in us,” said the 26-year-old.
“My biggest dream was to return to Syria at a moment like this after 13 years of war, just as it was my biggest dream in 2017 to leave for a new life,” said the award-winning photographer who has spent the last few years covering the migrant crisis for AFP’s Lille bureau in northern France.
“I left when I was 19,” said Sameer, all of whose immediate family are in exile, apart from his sister.
“This is my home, all my memories are here, my childhood, my adolescence. I spent my life in Douma in this house my family had to flee and where my cousin now lives.
“The house hasn’t changed, although the top floor was destroyed in the bombardments.
“The sitting room is still the same, my father’s beloved library hasn’t changed. He would settle down there every morning to read the books that he had collected over the years — it was more important to him than his children.
“I went looking for my childhood stuff that my mother kept for me but I could not find it. I don’t know if it exists anymore.
“I haven’t found any comfort here, perhaps because I haven’t found anyone from my family or people I was close to. Some have left the country and others were killed or have disappeared.
“People have been through so much over the last 13 years, from the peaceful protests of the revolution, to the war and the siege and then being forced into exile.
“My memories are here but they are associated with the war which started when I was 13. What I lived through was hard, and what got me through was my family and friends, and they are no longer here.
“The town has changed. I remember the bombed buildings, the rubble. Today life has gone back to a kind of normal as the town waits for people to return.”
Douma was besieged by Assad’s forces from the end of 2012, with Washington blaming his forces for a chemical attack in the region that left more than 1,400 people dead the following year.
Sameer’s career as a photojournalist began when he and his brothers began taking photos of what was happening around them.
“After the schools closed I started to go out filming the protests with my brothers here in front of the main mosque, where the first demonstration in Douma was held after Friday prayers, and where the first funerals of the victims were also held.
“I set up my camera on the first floor of a building which overlooks the mosque and then changed my clothes afterwards so I would not be recognized and arrested. Filming the protests was banned.
“When the security forces attacked, I would take the SIM card out of my phone and the memory card out of my camera and put them in my mouth.”
That way he could swallow them if he was caught.
In May 2017, Sameer fled through a tunnel dug by the militants and eventually found himself in Idlib with former fighters and their families.
“I took the name Sameer Al-Doumy (Sameer from Douma) to affirm that I belonged somewhere,” even though he was exiled, he said. “I stopped using my first name, Motassem, to protect my family living in Damascus.
“In France I have a happy and stable life. I have a family, friends and a job. But I am not rooted to any particular place. When I went back to Syria, I felt I had a country.
“When you are abroad, you get used to the word ‘refugee’ and you get on with your life and make a big effort to integrate in a new society. But your country remains the place that accepts you as you are. You don’t have to prove anything.
“When I left Syria, I never thought one day I would be able to return. When the news broke, I couldn’t believe it. It was impossible Assad could fall. Lots of people are still in shock and are afraid. It is hard to get your head around how a regime that filled people with so much fear could collapse.
“When I returned to the Al-Midan district of Damascus (which had long resisted the regime), I could not stop myself crying.
“I am sad not to be with my loved ones. But I know they will return, even if it takes a while.
“My dream now is that one day we will all come together again in Syria.”
Pakistan to face India in cricket showpiece event in Dubai
The tournament begins in Karachi on Feb. 19 when Pakistan takes on New Zealand
Updated 52 min 55 sec ago
AP
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will take on arch-rival India in the marquee group game of the 2025 Champions Trophy in Dubai on Feb. 23 after the ICC finally announced the schedule for the cricket showpiece event on Tuesday.
India have refused to travel to Pakistan over security concerns and that forced the ICC to delay its announcement for more than a month.
Pakistan are to host a minimum of 10 games in Rawalpindi, Karachi and Lahore. India are to play their three Group A matches against Bangladesh, Pakistan and New Zealand in Dubai. If India qualify for the semifinals and the final, those games will also be staged in Dubai.
“The ICC is delighted to release the schedule … marking the tournament’s much-anticipated first return since 2017,” ICC chair Jay Shah said in a statement. “The thrilling competition, in which eight teams battle it out to claim the iconic white jackets, will provide fans with 15 matches of unmissable entertainment.
“This edition will take place in Pakistan and the UAE, and with Dubai also serving as the home of the ICC headquarters, it represents an opportunity to showcase the best of cricket with heritage and modernity.”
Afghanistan, Australia, England and South Africa will play all their Group B games in Pakistan.
Defending champions Pakistan are hosting their first global cricket event since 1996.
After long deliberations between the ICC Board members, the game’s governing body has also agreed that Pakistan will not play in India in the 2024-27 cycle.
It is a tit-for-tat response to India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy.
That means Pakistan will go to a neutral venue when India host the 2025 women’s World Cup and co-host the 2026 men’s T20 World Cup with Sri Lanka.
As compensation for not hosting India at the Champions Trophy, the ICC awarded the 2028 women’s T20 World Cup to Pakistan.
“We are pleased that an agreement has been reached based on the principles of equality and respect, showcasing the spirit of cooperation and collaboration that defines our sport,” PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said.
“Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to the ICC members who played a constructive role in helping us achieve a mutually beneficial solution. Their efforts have been invaluable in promoting the interests of international cricket.”
Naqvi said that hosting the Champions Trophy “is a significant milestone for Pakistan, highlighting our commitment to promoting cricket at the highest level and showcasing our capabilities as a premier event organizer. We are dedicated to ensuring that this tournament will be a memorable experience for players, officials and fans alike.”
The tournament begins in Karachi on Feb. 19 when Pakistan takes on New Zealand.
Saudi interior minister rewards winners of King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival
Prince Abdulaziz awarded the prestigious King’s Sword to falconers Barghash Mohammed Al-Mansouri and Faisal Al-Qahtani
He honored the winners of the festival’s elite rounds with King Abdulaziz Cup
Updated 47 min 47 sec ago
Arab News
RIYADH: Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, Saudi minister of interior and chairman of the Saudi Falcons Club, honored on Tuesday the winners of the 2024 King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival.
Prince Abdulaziz awarded the prestigious King’s Sword to falconers Barghash Mohammed Al-Mansouri and Faisal Al-Qahtani, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
He also honored the winners of the festival’s elite rounds, who received the King Abdulaziz Cup. The champions included Al-Mansouri, Amin Abdullah Al-Mallah, Mohammed Hafez Al-Marri, Fahd Mohammed Al-Mansouri, Mohammed Ibrahim Al-Buainain, and Hamid Mohammed Al-Mansouri, the SPA added.
Additional awards were given to winners in the Mazayen falcon beauty pageant, covering both amateur and professional rounds, the SPA reported.
Prince Abdulaziz also honored the sponsors of the 2024 Saudi Falcons Club events at the end of the ceremony.
King Abdulaziz Falconry Festival was held from Dec. 3-19 at the club’s headquarters in Malham, north of Riyadh.
The event drew 1,032 falconers from nine countries, including 160 international participants, and showcased 3,322 falcons from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE and Italy.
The festival featured 138 rounds in Al-Malwah, highlighting falcon speed and talent, along with Mazayen competitions. It awarded more than SR 36 million ($9.6 million) in prizes, marking a record-breaking year for the festival.
