Capital and administrative centre of Medina Province, Hejaz, Saudi Arabia
The Iran‑aligned Houthis have seized Yemen’s Red Sea coast and key islands in the Bab al‑Mandeb strait this week, including Mocha, Mayyun (Perim) and the Hanish islands, after government forces withdrew. Saudi and Yemeni government forces have launched air strikes in response. The offensive has killed hundreds, displaced tens of thousands and pushed oil prices above $100 a barrel.
The Houthis have seized the Red Sea coast and three strategic islands, while Saudi Arabia shuts the East-West pipeline and Iraq closes border crossings amid attacks blamed on drones from Iraq. The moves threaten oil shipments and push prices above $100 a barrel as regional tensions escalate.
Saudi Arabia has launched a large-scale vegetation-cover initiative to spur sustainable development across multiple regions, with 103 investment opportunities spanning ecotourism, hospitality and environmental projects. The program aims to safeguard vegetation cover, attract private capital and deliver jobs while supporting Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative.
Saudi Arabia has shut the East-West pipeline as a precaution after drone attacks injure people and damage infrastructure. The move comes as the kingdom pivots away from the Strait of Hormuz amid conflict in the region, with global oil supplies already tightening.