Saudi Arabia and Yemen Sign Border Agreement
June 30, 2000
Saudi Arabia and Yemen sign an agreement to end years of border disputes.
GCC Defense Efforts
December 30, 2000
Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE sign a regional defense pact
Electric Grids Link Egypt and Syria
March 30, 2001
King Abdullah inaugurates the connection of electrical grids between Egypt and Syria.
Saudi Arabia Condemns Terror
December 30, 2001
King Fahd proclaims that terrorism is forbidden according to Islamic Law. Saudi Arabia extends women’s rights by granting female citizens ID cards.
Saudi Arabia Struggles with Unemployment
January 1, 2002
Unemployment rate remains around 15%-20%.
Qaddafi Points Fingers
March 30, 2003
President Gaddafi blames Saudi Arabia and Kuwait for U.S. intervention in the Middle East.
Legislative Reform in Saudi Arabia
November 1, 2003
King Fahd grants the national Consultative Council the ability to propose legislation without his permission.
Hajj Stampede
February 8, 2004
A stampede during the Hajj Pilgrimage in Mecca leaves 251 dead.
Al-Qaeda Attacks in Saudi Arabia
April 8, 2004
Waves of terrorist attacks are launched by Saudi-based affiliates of Al Qaeda against Riyadh police, foreign journalists, and a U.S. consulate.
Abdel Aziz al-Muqrin Killed
June 8, 2004
Security forces kill leader of Al-Qaeda leader in Saudi Arabia, Abdel Aziz al-Muqrin, as well as make attempts to curb Al Qaeda recruitment.
Municipal Elections Held in Saudi Arabia
February 11, 2005
First-time municipal elections are held, but women are barred from voting.
Abdullah Comes to Power
August 11, 2005
King Fahd passes away, succeeded by Crown Prince Abdullah, his half brother, who had been the de facto ruler for the previous ten years, after Fahd suffered an incapacitating stroke.
Saudi Arabia Joins WTO
November 11, 2005
Saudi Arabia joins the World Trade Organization, after 12 years of deliberations
January 30, 2006
363 Hajj pilgrims are killed in a stampede.
Rules for Succession Established
October 30, 2006
Monarchy sets sturdier guidelines to royal succession to prevent possible rivalries among next generation of princes.
Saudi Arabia Limits Religious Police
July 26, 2007
Religious police are banned from detaining suspects due to compounding criticism for overzealous behavior after recent deaths in custody.
Government Official Changes in Saudi Arabia
February 28, 2009
King Abdullah fires head of religious police, the highest senior judge, and the central bank head and replaces with newly selected officials. First woman minister appointed.
Al-Qaeda Arrests in Saudi Arabia
November 30, 2010
In an 8 month sting, 149 suspected al-Qaeda members are arrested. Also, the first metro system in Mecca opens.
Arab Spring in Saudi Arabia
February 28, 2011
King Abdullah announces increased welfare spending to quell calls for reform from citizens.
Arab Spring in Bahrain
February 28, 2011
Bahraini security forces are aided by Saudi Arabian soldiers to successfully suppress Arab Spring protesters. Shia Muslims blamed for the protests and many are detained; reports of torture surface.
Women Gain Limited Suffrage in Saudi Arabia
September 30, 2011
Women granted the right to vote in municipal elections and are now eligible for the consultative Shura Council.
Women Appointed to Saudi Shura
February 28, 2013
King Abdullah appoints 30 women into the Shura Council, the first time women hold any political office. Amnesty International accuses Saudi Arabia of failing to meet human rights standards and of increasing repression.
A New King
January 31, 2015
King Abdullah passes away and his brother, Crown Prince Salman, ascends the throne.
Airstrikes on Houthis
March 31, 2015
The UAE and four other GCC states coordinate Saudi-led air strikes on Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Iranians Burn Down Saudi Embassy
January 31, 2016
The government breaks off diplomatic relations with Iran after its embassy in Tehran is set on fire to protest the execution of Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr. Al-Nimr was a supporter of Shia protests in primarily Sunni Saudi Arabia.
Casualties of War
March 30, 2016
Fighter jets from the Saudi-led military coalition kill at least 41 civilians in Yemen; Houthi rebels agree to a prisoner exchange and report they are open to negotiation.
Austerity in Saudi Arabia
March 30, 2016
The Saudi Arabian government introduces austerity measures in response to falling oil prices and its military expenditures in Syria and Yemen.
Saudi Arabia Fights Terror
July 31, 2016
Saudi Arabia bans funding for known terrorist groups and conducts airstrikes against Islamic State in Syria.