International counter-terrorism forum highlights unified efforts for global peace

The Great Wall-2026 International Forum on Counter-Terrorism wrapped up in Beijing on Thursday, effectively enhancing interoperability and mutual trust among the counter-terrorism forces of various countries while further consolidating a powerful, unified force for joint counter-terrorism efforts.

Hosted by the Chinese People's Armed Police Force (PAP), the three-day forum was held under the theme "Advancing Counter-Terrorism Cooperation and Jointly Safeguarding Our Beautiful Home".

Now in its 10th edition, the event brought together over 320 representatives from 62 countries and international organizations for in-depth discussions and candid exchanges on advancing practical counter-terrorism cooperation in the context of artificial intelligence.

The participating parties conducted in-depth assessments of the evolving trends in terrorist activities, engaged in thorough discussions on building counter-terrorism capabilities, and meticulously studied tactics for preventing and combating terrorism through the exchange of ideas, sharing of experiences, and mutual learning of technologies.

"Terrorism is not confined to a single nation, it has reached a global scale, necessitating coordination among all countries, including those in Asia and Western nations. Colombia is currently experiencing a conflict that involves the use of drone technology. So, we must join forces to pursue and uphold peace throughout the world," said Eduardo Alberto Arias Rojas, commander of the Seventh Division of the National Army of Colombia.

During the forum, the Chinese and foreign delegates also engaged in comprehensive and pragmatic exchanges through various channels, including multi-level seminars, tours of unmanned equipment, and observations of training demonstrations.

"Terrorism is a common enemy of all humanity, and no nation can remain unaffected or stand entirely apart from this threat. Through our exchanges over the past three days, we have gained valuable insights into advanced international practices, ranging from the use of intelligent systems in counter-terrorism and the protection of critical infrastructure to the prevention of cross-border infiltration. We remain committed to deepening practical counter-terrorism cooperation with all other nations, jointly exploring operational strategies, mitigating shared risks, and working together to fortify a robust global security barrier," said Army Colonel Liu Delin, a member of the event's organizing committee.

International counter-terrorism forum highlights unified efforts for global peace

Yemen's Houthi group said that it had carried out multiple attacks on Saudi and Saudi-led coalition targets, while the Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted a Houthi missile, and Yemeni government forces reported operations against the group on several fronts.

In a statement released early Thursday, the Houthis said they used a surface-to-air missile to hit a Saudi Typhoon fighter jet. The aircraft, they said, had taken off from Saudi Arabia's Taif Air Base and was hit over Yemen's Sa'adah Province. Saudi Arabia has not yet responded to the claim.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Houthis said they launched a large-scale attack using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones against oil facilities of energy giant Saudi Aramco in Dhahran in eastern Saudi Arabia, as well as King Khalid International Airport and a Saudi Aramco refinery in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

The Houthis said in a separate statement released Wednesday evening that the group had fired one more ballistic missile at King Khalid International Airport and launched three ballistic missiles at Saudi-led coalition targets in southern Yemen.

Turki al-Maliki, spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition, said on Wednesday that they had intercepted and destroyed a Houthi ballistic missile fired toward Riyadh. Saudi Arabia's General Directorate of Civil Defense said in a statement on Wednesday that fragments from the intercepted missile fell in Riyadh, injuring one person.

Meanwhile, the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported that late on Wednesday the Saudi-led coalition carried out an airstrike on a residential building in the Al Maravi'ah area of Hodeidah province, which is under Houthi control. Early on Thursday, al-Masirah also reported that Yemen's capital, Sanaa, had come under Saudi attack.

According to a Houthi statement issued on Wednesday evening, the Saudi-led coalition launched 42 airstrikes and missile attacks on Houthi-controlled areas in the previous 24 hours. The Houthis said that Saudi attacks on islands in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait directly threatened the safety of maritime shipping routes.

Separately, Yemeni government forces said on Wednesday that they continued to strike Houthi targets and personnel on the eastern and southern fronts.

Yemen has been mired in conflict since late 2014, when the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa and much of northern Yemen, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to intervene in 2015 in support of the Yemeni government.

Houthis, Saudi-led coalition report fresh military actions against each other