Middle East & North Africa
OCHA: Yemen’s war is disrupting Bab al-Mandab shipping, with fuel imports down and food prices up
OCHA’s October update on Yemen says the escalation near the Bab al-Mandab and the Red Sea blockade are cutting fuel…
Desk
Middle East & North Africa
Israel, Gaza, Lebanon, Iran, Syria, Iraq, the Gulf, Yemen, Egypt and Libya.
Economy & Energy
Saudi Aramco evacuates its Dhahran headquarters – Houthis say they hit the defence ministry in Riyadh and facilities at Yanbu
Reuters reports that Saudi Aramco told staff to evacuate its headquarters in Dhahran and work remotely, the first evacuation of…
Middle East & North Africa
European Parliament urges EU to list the Houthis as a terrorist group and freeze their assets
In a resolution adopted on 22 October, MEPs condemn Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, press the Council to put the…
Middle East & North Africa
Israeli official: Hezbollah is rebuilding its capabilities in Beirut and Tyre – the army prepares for another round if Iran is struck
An Israeli security official told Walla that Hezbollah is rebuilding its military capabilities in Beirut and Tyre and that the…
Middle East & North Africa
NYT: US and Israel have drawn up plans for new strikes on Iran after the midterm elections – an operation of about three days
The New York Times reports that the US and Israeli militaries have drawn up detailed plans for new strikes on…
Middle East & North Africa
BREAKING: US orders non-emergency diplomats and families to leave Saudi Arabia after deadly Houthi attacks
The State Department ordered the departure of non-emergency US government personnel and their families from Saudi Arabia after a series…
Air Force
Dozens of Israeli fighter jets flew to Iran’s border and turned back, Axios reports – a show of force a week before Israel’s elections
Axios reports, citing Israeli and US officials, that dozens of Israeli Air Force fighters, with aerial refuelling tankers, flew more…
Middle East & North Africa
Israel’s submarine affair: Netanyahu to testify before the state commission of inquiry on December 7
Israel’s state commission of inquiry into the submarines and warships affair announced that testimony on the personal warning letters it…
Politics & Diplomacy
Egypt stands with international law: Cairo rejects the Turkish–Libyan memorandum as “absolutely null and void” – a firm answer to revisionism and a boost for Athens and Nicosia
Egypt’s Foreign Ministry rejected the Libyan House’s ratification of the Turkish–Libyan memorandum as absolutely null and void, citing the Law…
Middle East & North Africa
Tom Barrack in Damascus: meeting with al-Sharaa and al-Shaibani – “Syria’s destiny touches every side of the Middle East’s Rubik’s Cube”
US special envoy Tom Barrack met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani in Damascus. The same day…
Middle East & North Africa
Macron in Riyadh: French personnel and assets have been deployed in Saudi Arabia for eight days against the Houthi threat
French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Riyadh on a surprise solidarity visit and revealed that France has had personnel and…
Middle East & North Africa
Hormuz: tanker hit by an unknown projectile off Oman – the IRGC claims three tankers struck mines, but offers no verifiable evidence
The UK Maritime Trade Operations centre reported a tanker hit by an unknown projectile west of Bukha, Oman, in the…