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JEDDAH: Prince Saud bin Mohammed bin Abdullah Turki has made history as the first Saudi officer cadet to be awarded the prestigious International Sword at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

The prince received the honor during the Sovereign’s Parade on Aug. 8, recognizing him as the top-performing international cadet among a cohort from across the globe. The award celebrates exceptional leadership, discipline and military excellence.

Prince Saud’s achievement marks a milestone in Saudi participation at Sandhurst, underscoring his dedication, resilience and ability to lead under pressure.

Brig. Ben Wilde, British defense attache to ��������, told Arab News: “The Kingdom of �������� has a long history with the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, and a deep defense relationship that stretches back to the Second World War. 

“This stellar achievement by Officer Cadet Prince Saud highlights the value of what Sandhurst offers; some of the finest military leadership training to be found anywhere in the world. It is hoped that the relationship with Sandhurst will go from strength to strength in the future as the Kingdom’s military forces evolve to meet the challenges of the future.”

Wilde said that what set Prince Saud apart was his immense physical and mental resilience. He led by example during the most demanding physical challenges, even inspiring those observing Ramadan to maintain rigorous training throughout the holy month.

He is a superb communicator and military planner, achieving one of the highest scores on the entire course in the challenging military planning examination. 

On the field, he excelled in leading infantry tactical operations, demonstrating calm under pressure, strategic acumen and the ability to inspire his team during realistic combat exercises.

Beyond his operational skills, he served as an outstanding representative for his country, volunteering to lead Eid Al-Fitr celebrations and fostering an understanding of Islamic culture within a diverse environment.

Selfless, professional, humble and gracious, he proved himself a natural leader and role model for all cadets on the commissioning course.

“This is a magnificent achievement by Prince Saud,” Wilde said. “To be the first Saudi to win this prestigious award is appropriate recognition of the determination, courage and talent he has demonstrated throughout some of the most demanding leadership training in the world. He is an outstanding ambassador for his family and his country, and has a hugely promising future.”

Dr. Alice Burt, charge d’affaires at the British Embassy in Riyadh, said: “We were thrilled to hear the news of Prince Saud receiving the International Sword, a truly historic achievement and a proud moment for ��������. 

“His success reflects not only his personal dedication and leadership, but also the strength of the UK-Saudi defense partnership.”

The ceremony at Sandhurst was attended by senior military officials, dignitaries and members of Prince Saud’s family. The British Embassy extended its congratulations and reaffirmed its commitment to strong defense ties between the two countries.

DUBAI: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) condemned on Tuesday the killing of journalists Anas Al-Sharif and Mohammed Qureiqi, along with several other media professionals, following Israel’s targeting of a journalists’ tent in Gaza City.
In a statement, the OIC described the attack as a violation of international law and a breach of press freedom, noting that 242 journalists have been killed in the occupied Palestinian territory since Oct. 7, 2023.
The organization said these actions form part of what it called systematic violations against the media, aimed at obstructing the flow of information to the global community.
The OIC held Israel, as the occupying power, responsible for the incident and called for an international investigation to hold those responsible accountable.
It also urged relevant international institutions to take urgent measures to prevent the targeting of journalists and ensure their protection in line with international humanitarian law and related conventions.