Saudi media group MBC has fired its news director, Musaid al-Thubaiti. This action was taken against him due to the report in which he had addressed the Shia Resistance Militia in the area as a terrorist. Musaid had broadcast a package called “The Millennium of Liberation from Terrorists” on October 17, after which he was embroiled in controversies and had to face strong opposition from across the Arab world.
The company has since removed this report from its website. In this report, not only has the Shiite Resistance Militia been described as terrorist but Haniya’s successor, Yahya Sinwar, has also been described as the “new face of terrorism.” Apart from this, the top leader of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, and General Qasim Sulemani of Iran’s Quds Force were also shown in a bad light.
The Saudi government took action
After the broadcast of this package, Saudi Arabia’s General Media Regulatory Authority summoned MBC and ordered an investigation. After which the channel has now accepted the resignation of news director Musaid Al-Thubaiti.
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Following this report, the Iraqi government canceled the channel’s license and on October 19, the channel’s Baghdad office was attacked by angry protesters, following which its Baghdad office was closed. In Iran, this report was described by Iranian media as part of Israel’s line in which it presents a narrative against groups fighting for Palestinian independence.
Hamas response
Following this report, Hamas also issued a statement harshly criticizing it and accused the channel of serving the enemies of the Palestinian people.
Saudi stance
Although Saudi Arabia is moving closer to Israel, it has made clear that no agreement is possible without the independent State of Palestine. This action by Saudi Arabia shows that despite their many differences, Iran and Saudi Arabia are together on the issue of Palestine.
