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A series of Houthi missile and drone strikes has struck Saudi airports this week, including a deadly attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International that has killed and wounded dozens and forced prolonged airport closures. Saudi and allied forces are mounting counter‑operations in Yemen while global leaders have condemned the assaults and airlines have suspended flights.
Unidentified projectiles have struck King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, starting fires and injuring several people. Air defenses have intercepted a cruise missile in the area. The strikes come amid a wave of recent attacks on Saudi civilian aviation, with international condemnation and calls for restraint.
The Houthis have attacked Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport, killing and injuring civilians. The attack has drawn international condemnation, with UK and US officials weighing involvement. Authorities warn travellers and residents, and ongoing strikes are being monitored.
Saudi Arabia has faced an intensified campaign of drone and missile attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis since July, and the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement signed in August has prompted Pakistan and Turkiye to discuss defensive support. Britain has approved time-limited refuelling for Saudi jets and the three allies are meeting to decide collective steps as attacks continue.
Yemeni government forces have intensified operations against Houthi positions across Taiz and along the Bab al-Mandeb coast. Rashad al-Alimi has called on citizens to mobilise and offered amnesty to defectors, as Houthis push to expand control over western Yemen and threaten shipping lanes through the Bab al-Mandeb strait.
The Red Sea conflict has intensified as Yemeni government forces, backed by Saudi air power, press to retake Sanaa and secure Bab al-Mandeb. The Houthis have escalated missile and drone attacks on Saudi targets, while the U.S. supports allies with intelligence and targeting data but is not yet engaging in kinetic strikes.
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are strengthening high-level ties amid regional tensions, inviting Gulf allies to the GCC-EU Summit and coordinating on issues including Yemen and security. Multiple meetings signal a thaw and shared interests as Riyadh hosts the event.
Yemen faces renewed violence as Houthi advances push fronts toward Taiz and Mocha. Displacement rises, aid routes tighten, and prices surge as government forces and Houthis contend for control along the Red Sea coast and hinterlands.
Saudi Arabia has reaffirmed its commitment to regional stability as Gulf security ties deepen. Leaders cite de-escalation efforts and a trilateral defense framework with Turkiye and Pakistan, while warning that attacks by Yemen's Houthis will be met with decisive responses. The king and crown prince are outlining continued military and diplomatic measures amid recent confrontations in the Red Sea and border areas.
The United States has expanded sanctions under Operation Economic Outcast, targeting 17 vessels and key Iranian auto and rail sectors to choke Tehran’s revenue streams. Officials say the move aims to disrupt illicit oil transport and cut funding for Iran's war and related activities; Tehran’s shipping and energy sectors are under intensified pressure.
The Iran-backed Houthis have targeted a power distribution station in Madinah, with coalition forces confirming strikes and investigations tracing the drone's source. The attack follows earlier raids in Sanaa and Taiz and reports of drones aimed at the Prophet’s Mosque’s power supply. The coalition says the strikes aim to protect the Two Holy Mosques amid ongoing Yemen conflict involvement.
Fights in northern Ethiopia have escalated, with Ethiopian forces clashing with rebel groups in Tigray, Amhara and Afar. Ethiopia has closed its embassy in Asmara and expelled 10 Eritrean diplomats, prompting Eritrea to sever ties. The move raises regional tensions and could widen instability across the Horn of Africa.
The World Food Programme warns hunger threatens up to 18.3 million Yemenis as renewed fighting cuts access to food aid and disrupts shipping routes. Health facilities are overwhelmed, with dozens damaged, and aid agencies warn stocks are running low amid a tightening siege of Taiz and the Red Sea coast.
Yemen's internationally recognised government has announced a major military campaign to retake territory from the Iran-aligned Houthi movement. Forces backed by a Saudi-led coalition say they have pushed into Red Sea coastal areas, including around Dhubab and Mokha, while the Houthis report strikes on Saudi oil sites and gains around Taiz. The offensive has intensified fighting and displacement since August.
The Saudi-led coalition-backed government is retaking towns near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait amid a broader offensive. Houthis have pushed into Taiz and other western areas, with air support and thousands of troops involved. The operation follows recent gains by the Houthis and marks a renewed phase in Yemen’s civil war.
Leaders from Egypt, Eritrea, Somalia and Sudan have called for de-escalation while Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed reiterates Addis Ababa’s push for Red Sea access. The region’s tensions have intensified amid renewed fighting in Tigray and accusations of external backing for opposing forces. A multi-country summit in New Alamein has underscored the debate over sea access and coastal governance.
The Iran-backed Houthis have claimed new strikes against Saudi Arabia, targeting airports and military sites as fighting in Yemen widens. Saudi forces say they are intercepting missiles north of Riyadh, while ground and air operations on Yemen’s western coast intensify. The conflict risks disrupting regional shipping routes amid a broader regional confrontation.
Missiles and drones targeted Aden International Airport as fighting intensifies along Yemen’s Red Sea coast. The attack forced a flight from Cairo to divert to Jeddah, prompting international concern as displaced people face mounting humanitarian needs amid a widening confrontation.
Saudi-led forces have intercepted a ballistic missile fired by Houthi rebels toward Riyadh, officials and residents have reported. Recent Houthi strikes have hit King Khalid and Abha airports, killed foreign residents and wounded dozens, forced flight suspensions and prompted Saudi counterstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen.
Ethiopia has claimed Eritrean troops crossed into Tigray, intensifying clashes as both sides accuse each other of aggression. Eritrea denies the incursion while urging UN action; meanwhile, regional powers watch for potential spillover as Red Sea access and border security become flashpoints.
The Houthis have intensified strikes on Riyadh, with missiles and drones hitting airports and nearby facilities. Saudi authorities report damaged civilian sites as air defenses intercept multiple weapons aimed at the capital. The attacks come as Riyadh reviews security and the resilience of its defence systems amid broader regional tensions.
The Gulf Cooperation Council’s electricity and water committee has met in Manama to advance multilateral interconnections and water security, with GCC member states including Saudi Arabia participating. Somalia and Saudi discussions in Mogadishu have focused on strengthening bilateral ties, trade interests, and Red Sea security amid shifting regional dynamics.
A Saudi-backed government offensive is pushing to recapture areas along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, including Bab al-Mandab and Mayun Island, as clashes with Houthi forces intensify. Authorities report dozens of civilian casualties and continued fighting on multiple fronts amid a volatile regional confrontation.
The King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has been evacuated after a blast, with air traffic halted as the Houthis claim responsibility for attacks connected to the Yemen crisis. Saudi authorities have not commented, while officials say the situation is ongoing and evolving.
The conflict along Ethiopia’s northern border has intensified, with claims of Eritrean troops crossing into Ethiopia to support rebels near Zalambessa. Addis Ababa denies incursion, while other witnesses and conflict monitors report troop movements and strategic advances. The situation risks broader regional spillover as global powers call for de-escalation.
A Saudi-led coalition blames the Houthis for Saturday’s deadly attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport. The assault, hitting terminals 3 and 4, has led to airport closures and a spike in oil prices. US President Trump is weighing whether to join Saudi strikes as international officials report casualties.
A boat carrying more than 300 people from Djibouti to Yemen has capsized near Guhere, north of Obock. International Organization for Migration teams have recovered at least 139 bodies and rescued about 80 survivors, all Ethiopian nationals; dozens remain missing as Djiboutian authorities continue search and recovery operations on 12 October 2026.
A human rights group has said jets struck an artisanal gold-mining site on Saturday in the disputed border area near the Halaib/Halayeb Triangle, killing at least 72 people and wounding dozens. Survivors told AFP they fled after multiple strikes; Egypt has not commented and independent verification remains difficult because the site is remote.
Ethiopia's federal government has moved to intensify operations in Tigray as Eritrean forces are reported to be active alongside allied groups. The conflict has returned to the fore, sparking fears of a regional war and severe humanitarian consequences for millions previously dependent on aid.
The Saudi-led coalition has warned civilians in Sanaa to evacuate the al-Sabah oil facility area ahead of possible strikes. The Houthis have warned of a tough response, while multiple air and missile attacks have targeted Riyadh and other sites, prompting travel advisories.
Missiles and drones strike across Saudi Arabia, targeting Riyadh and other sites. Interceptions have prevented casualties for now, while flights face delays and facilities evacuate staff.
Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have intensified after vessels were struck, with the GFS Pride sinking and other ships damaged. Iran has issued threats while the U.S. and allies are guiding safe passage through the strait. Oil prices have spiked as inflation concerns rise in the United States.
The UN has set up a taskforce to move fertilisers through the Strait of Hormuz. Moreira da Silva says activation could come within seven to 10 days if Washington and Tehran agree. Five vessels per day could keep fertiliser flowing to countries in need, while a broader deal on navigation remains pending.
The Iran-backed Houthis have intensified attacks on Saudi energy facilities and airports, with Aramco sites in Dhahran and Riyadh targeted. Saudi-led forces are escalating operations along Yemen's Red Sea coast as regional tensions rise and a major Riyadh conference looms.
Egypt has stated it is prepared to defend Saudi Arabia if Riyadh requests it, while Parliament is asked to convene an emergency session for authorization. The move follows a wave of Houthi attacks on Saudi targets, including airports and Aramco. Officials say the brothers share security concerns and are closely watching Red Sea shipping routes amid Gulf tensions.