City and governorate in Saudi Arabia’s Medina Province, a Red Sea port and industrial hub
Saudi air defences have intercepted and destroyed multiple ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones launched toward Riyadh, the Eastern Province, Makkah and other regions in fresh Houthi strikes. Falling debris has caused limited damage to an administrative Aramco building in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District; officials have reported no injuries.
Iran-aligned Houthi forces have launched sustained missile and drone strikes on government military camps and populated areas in Marib and Hadramawt, killing dozens of government soldiers and at least two civilians and injuring many more. Saudi-led coalition officials have warned they will not accept a Houthi takeover of Marib and say cross‑border attacks have wounded civilians in Najran.
Houthi attacks on Yemen’s Red Sea coast have intensified, striking Mocha and al-Makha ports as government forces and militants trade strikes across Marib, Taiz and the western coast. The violence threatens shipping lanes, raises regional tensions, and risks drawing in regional powers as talks for a ceasefire stall.
The Houthi movement has expanded its control along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, including Mokha and surrounding areas, raising concerns over shipping routes through Bab al-Mandab. The fighting has drawn in regional powers and threatens global oil supplies as the conflict tests Yemen’s government and international diplomacy.
Saudi, Turkish and Pakistani chiefs of staff have met in Riyadh to begin turning the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement into operational cooperation after a recent surge in Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi territory and shipping. Officials have agreed to deepen military and intelligence ties and to integrate defensive capabilities under the pact.
Saudi officials have reported that air defences intercepted ballistic missiles and drones aimed at Riyadh, Taif and the Red Sea port of Yanbu after Houthi forces have seized Red Sea coast positions and tightened control of the Bab al‑Mandeb. Saudi civil defence has issued and later lifted alerts; there are no immediate confirmed civilian casualties.
Gulf states and Iran have been negotiating a temporary shipping framework for the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing war-related disruptions. Oman and Iran are coordinating on routes while Bahrain has declined participation. Oil-price volatility remains as markets watch for a regional security framework to emerge.
The Houthis have captured Mokha and Mayun (Perim), extending their reach near a key shipping lane. The developments threaten flows through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a chokepoint for global oil and cargo, while Saudi exports remain stressed by past disruptions and shifting routes. Authorities note ongoing tensions and potential further escalation.
Houthi advances along Yemen’s coast and the capture of Mocha put Bab el-Mandeb at risk. The United States faces political pressure as it weighs whether to intervene, while Saudi Arabia seeks to protect Red Sea shipping amid Iran-linked disruptions.
Saudi Arabia has closed its 1,200km East–West oil pipeline after a drone attack that Riyadh has blamed on Iranian-backed militias in Iraq. Officials and analysts have said repairs could take three to five weeks, jeopardising 2.6–4 million barrels per day of exports and pushing Brent above $105–$108 a barrel while Houthi gains in the Red Sea are further restricting routes.
The East-West oil pipeline has remained offline after drone attacks, forcing Saudi Arabia to reroute exports and triggering price spikes. Yemen’s Houthis have expanded control in the Bab al-Mandab region, while regional talks in Oman are postponed, complicating any near-term resolution.
Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline remains shut after drone attacks, with authorities citing precautionary measures. Supplies are being rerouted to mitigate disruption, while markets price in potential longer-term supply risk as regional tensions escalate.
The Houthis have extended their presence along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, threatening Bab al-Mandeb's vital shipping lane. Iran signals willingness to support talks; the Yemeni government vows a broader offensive to retake captured areas. Global oil markets react as shipping risks rise and regional tensions intensify.
Houthi forces have seized islands and ports on Yemen's Red Sea coast, taken control of access to the Bab al‑Mandeb strait and stepped up missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia. Saudi air defences have said they have intercepted incoming drones and missiles while shipping and global oil routes have been disrupted and prices have risen.
The Bab al-Mandeb strait is now under Houthi control, threatening Red Sea shipping and Egypt’s Suez Canal revenues. Egypt and Saudi Arabia are pursuing security cooperation while reaffirming commitment to safe navigation amid US-led regional dynamics.
Saudi authorities have said they have intercepted a Houthi-launched drone south of Mecca and have called the attempt a "red line" because it targeted Islam's holiest sites. Regional capitals and Muslim organisations have condemned the strikes on Saudi cities and infrastructure, and analysts warn the attacks will raise pressure on shipping routes and global energy supplies.
Saudi Arabia has declared Mecca a red line as Houthi strikes test a defence pact with Turkey and Pakistan amid a broader Iran-linked escalation. Attacks threaten Red Sea oil routes; Iran remains accused of backing Houthis. US involvement remains limited as allied efforts to bolster air defences unfold.
Drones launched from Iraqi soil have disrupted the East-West oil pipeline, triggering Iraqi authorities to close three border crossings and sack a Missan province commander. Baghdad is reviewing operations as it probes the incident, while Saudi Arabia suspends the pipeline route.
Explosions and a burning Aramco fuel tank near Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport have prompted the first air-raid alerts in the capital since the Yemen conflict escalated. Flight disruptions and major problems at the airport follow overnight warnings to residents, with the UN calling for action amid civilian displacement.
Oil prices have fallen after data showed Asia is set to import its highest monthly crude volume since the US–Iran war began, while traders continue to monitor UN‑level diplomacy and regional tensions. Brent has slipped near $102 a barrel and U.S. crude is trading in the low $90s as markets weigh rising Asian flows against Middle East risks.
Iran warns it may retaliate against any US-led attacks while the US signals readiness for broader action. Trump has said options include striking Iran or pursuing a deal as Iran and its allies prepare for the UN General Assembly, heightening regional tensions and impacting oil shipments.
Divers are revisiting Tyre’s underwater Phoenician and Roman ruins after a shaky ceasefire. UNESCO notes submerged remains; authorities fear land and underwater sites face threats while plans for underwater parks seek to boost tourism.
Oil prices have edged higher as investors await potential U.S.-Iran talks at the UN General Assembly, with supply disruptions and regional tensions weighing on sentiment. Traders are eyeing diplomatic developments and refinery flows, while some observers warn against reading a fundamental shift in supply.
Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has dwindled to a trickle, even as Middle Eastern producers continue exporting oil risking transponders-off shipments. Trackable vessels show several departures and arrivals, with Saudi exports recovering and Iraq contributing a substantial share. Analysts say flows remain resilient despite disruptions.
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.
The Iran-aligned Houthis have seized Yemen’s Red Sea coastline, triggering new displacement, threatening global trade, and drawing international calls for an immediate halt to hostilities. The UN warns of a funding shortfall as more than 130,000 Yemenis are displaced and tens of thousands seek refuge by sea.
Palestinian President Abbas has addressed the UN via a pre-recorded video, while Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is delivering a live address. Abbas has called for ending the war in Gaza, a withdrawal from Gaza, and a political process toward an independent Palestinian state. Netanyahu is focusing on Israel's security concerns and Iran, with some world leaders planning protests in New York.
KFC has opened Open House in McKinney, Texas, a test restaurant offering breakfast, late hours, table service, and new menu items. The concept aims to learn what works for guests and rolls out successful ideas system-wide. The restaurant features digital kiosks, table service, dual drive-thru lanes, a photo booth and merch counter.
President Macron has announced that France will send military assets—soldiers, radars and defense systems—to protect the Saudi Red Sea port of Yanbu after Houthi attacks. He emphasised that the move aims to safeguard oil exports and critical infrastructure amid rising tensions with Russia and ongoing EU sanctions discussions.
The Houthis have expanded their attacks on Saudi targets, claiming to strike a sensitive site in Riyadh and Aramco facilities in Yanbu. Saudi intercepts six missiles aimed at Taif and Yanbu as fighting intensifies along Yemen’s coast and in border areas. The conflict threatens regional oil routes and global supply chains.
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.
France has decided to send military assets, including soldiers and radar systems, to protect key Red Sea sites in Yanbu after Houthis attacks disrupted oil shipments. The move follows a gulf-france ministerial meeting and stresses international cooperation to secure shipping routes amid tensions with Iran.
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.
Oil prices hover near $100 per barrel as Saudi Arabia, Iran and Yemen-linked attacks fuel supply concerns. Jurisdictional diplomacy is ongoing with talks at the UN and US-Chinese discussions shaping the market outlook. Analysts say supply routes remain vulnerable while diplomatic efforts seek de-escalation.
Iran has seen its currency hit new lows as US-Israeli actions tighten sanctions and blockades. Indirect talks on reopening the Strait of Hormuz continue, while mediatior efforts and new sanctions aim to pressure Tehran. The government has unveiled plans to mitigate shortages and economic decline in the face of ongoing conflict.
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.
Brent and WTI have fallen as traders weigh a reported recovery at Saudi terminals Yanbu and Muajjiz after a drone attack disrupted flows earlier this month. Authorities say pipeline restoration is near 3.5 million bpd, with Hormuz traffic stabilizing despite talk of renewed tensions. U.S. and Iranian mediations continue as global supply risk remains.
Houthi forces have claimed missile and drone strikes on King Khalid and Abha airports in Saudi Arabia, killing foreign residents and wounding dozens. Saudi air defences and the Saudi-led coalition have said they intercepted some projectiles and have launched strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen. The attacks have forced flight cancellations, reopened security concerns for oil and transport infrastructure, and displaced civilians in Yemen.
IMF projections show the Middle East and Central Asia contracting 0.3% in 2026, with the Gulf facing deeper contractions in Kuwait, Iraq and Qatar. Saudi Arabia flexes with diversified export routes, while the broader region eyes a rebound in 2027 as supply lines normalize.
Missiles and drones strike at Saudi airports and oil facilities amid the Yemen conflict; multiple countries respond with air-defense interventions and troop deployments. Brent oil tops $100 as the Red Sea shipping lanes face renewed threats.
Iran has approved a new defence minister with decades in the defence industry, aiming to accelerate war-era weapons development and protect strategic facilities as tensions rise in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Iran vows to respond to threats with extensive retaliation, as US-Israeli actions and regional responses escalate the conflict.
The UK has deployed RAF Typhoon jets, an A400M transport and military advisers to Saudi Arabia to fly defensive missions against missiles and drones. France has sent soldiers, radars and air-defence systems to protect the Red Sea port of Yanbu. Both governments have said their roles are defensive as Houthi strikes on Saudi airports and energy sites have escalated since September.
France and Saudi Arabia have expanded energy commitments and security cooperation amid ongoing Houthi attacks. Macron’s Gulf tour secures additional diesel supplies and explores infrastructure projects to bypass Hormuz, with France deploying defensive forces to Yanbu and expanding security talks.
Iran warns it will retaliate against any renewed attacks as shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz continue. Tehran says US-Israeli pressure has escalated tensions, while regional diplomacy seeks de-escalation amid talks with Mecca pact states and Mecca alliance discussions.
Regional ministers have convened to discuss Yemen, the Iran-US clash, the Palestinian issue, and the Russia-Ukraine war. The talks also focus on preserving freedom of navigation through the Hormuz and Bab al-Mandab straits, and consider a Mecca Defence-style pact to bolster security in the region.
Houthi strikes continue to target Saudi Arabia as high-level diplomacy among regional powers and Iran-backed groups shows a push for dialogue. The Saudi-led coalition says missiles and drones intercepted; Houthis claim a broad range of operations hitting several energy and military targets across the kingdom.
Pakistan’s army chief has visited Tehran twice this month with Saudi and Turkish officials. Spokesman Chaudhry says the trips signal cautious optimism in de‑escalation efforts amid a widening regional security dynamic following Mecca pact ties and ongoing Iran-US tensions.
The Saudi-led coalition says it has intercepted missiles and drones, while Yemeni Houthis claim strikes near Aden and other targets. Casualties are mounting on both sides as clashes intensify around Bab al-Mandab and in the Red Sea region, amid a broader regional confrontation.
The Yemen conflict has escalated as the Houthis and the Saudi-backed government exchange daily attacks since the summer truce broke down. Explosions have rocked Riyadh and other sites, with missiles intercepted and civilian casualties reported. The humanitarian crisis deepens as aid groups warn of collapsing healthcare in Yemen.
Saudi Aramco reports a quarterly profit surge, underpinned by higher refining margins and resilient export flows amid attacks on facilities and volatile energy prices. The company reiterates its diversification drive as energy security remains a global focus.