December 30, 2025 – Saudi Arabia Headlines

Story gist: Saudi Arabia called on the United Arab Emirates to respond to Yemen’s decision for withdrawal of UAE forces. The statement addresses tensions in Yemen involving Saudi and Emirati military presence.

Bias summary: Left-leaning CNN Arabic frames it neutrally as Saudi urging UAE compliance with Yemen’s decision. Center Euronews sensationalizes with ‘urgent’ military details (weapons, ships, airstrikes) and ‘exploding’ Saudi-Emirati dispute. Right-leaning Al Arabiya softens tone, quoting Saudi hope for UAE steps to preserve bilateral relations, emphasizing diplomacy over conflict.

Story gist: Saudi Arabia expressed regret over UAE pressures that prompted Southern Transitional Council forces to conduct military operations near the southern borders. A Saudi prince sent a message preceding a warning from the Legitimacy coalition regarding Hadramout.

Bias summary: Left-leaning CNN Arabic emphasizes a warning from the Saudi-backed Legitimacy coalition about Hadramout after Prince Khaled’s message, framing potential escalation. Center coverage absent, leaving no neutral perspective. Right-leaning Al Riyadh directly attributes Saudi regret to UAE pressures inciting STC operations near borders, blaming UAE influence.

Story gist: Israel is establishing a military base in Somaliland. Egypt demands an African Security Council meeting, Washington compares its recognition to Palestine, and the UN Security Council holds an emergency session on the Israeli recognition.

Bias summary: Left-leaning CNN Arabic emphasizes Egypt’s demand for an African Security Council meeting, highlighting Arab regional response. Center Sky News Arabia focuses on Washington’s comparison of Somaliland to Palestine recognition, providing neutral U.S. perspective. Right-leaning Al Riyadh stresses UN Security Council’s emergency session on Israeli recognition, underscoring global urgency; no major omissions across lanes.

Story gist: Axios reported that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to change his policy in the West Bank. Trump warned Hamas of dire consequences if it does not disarm and confirmed Israel’s commitment to a Gaza plan.

Bias summary: Left-leaning outlets absent, providing no coverage. Center (BBC) emphasizes Trump’s warnings to Hamas and support for Israel’s Gaza plan, portraying him as pro-Israel on security. Right (Al Sharq Al Awsat) highlights Trump’s partial disagreement with Netanyahu on West Bank policy, stressing policy differences without broader context.

Story gist: The Joint Forces Command of the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen executed a limited airstrike targeting external military support at Al-Mukalla port.

Bias summary: Left-leaning (CNN Arabic) emphasizes Yemeni Army chief of staff’s comments, maintaining neutral tone on official response. Center (Sky News Arabia) frames event as ‘unilateral Saudi aggression’ via Southern Transitional quote, stressing criticism and Saudi isolation. Right-leaning (Sabq) directly quotes coalition’s statement, highlighting ‘limited’ strike on ‘external military support,’ omitting opposing views for supportive emphasis.