Saudi Arabia

Yemen's Houthi forces launched ballistic missile and drone attacks targeting King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Abha International Airport, and military sites in southern Saudi Arabia, killing three foreign nationals and injuring dozens. Saudi-led coalition intercepted some projectiles. Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree claimed precise hits and casualties; Saudi authorities confirmed civilian deaths but have not verified all Houthi claims. The attacks mark an escalation in the Yemen conflict.

7 reports · 2 sources · Updated Oct 8, 03:00 AM UTC

On September 30, 2026, a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv (FZ1073) was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after the co-pilot, an Omani national, attacked the captain with an axe or knife, seriously injuring him. The captain opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers to subdue the attacker. The plane dropped sharply before off-duty pilots landed it safely. Israeli and UAE authorities treat it as a suspected terrorist attack. The co-pilot had reportedly been fired from Oman Air over extremist views.

57 reports · 7 sources · Updated Oct 5, 10:24 PM UTC

Yemen's Houthi group reported varying numbers of Saudi airstrikes (26 to 94) across multiple provinces in the past 24 hours, claiming civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. Separately, Yemeni government forces claimed 761 strikes against Houthi targets over 72 hours, killing or wounding 361 fighters and four Iranian experts. The reports are unverified and conflicting.

7 reports · 3 sources · Updated Oct 2, 05:55 PM UTC

Saudi Arabia's crude oil exports surged nearly 80% in September 2026 to 6 million barrels per day, the highest level since the Iran war began seven months ago, according to Kpler data. The rebound occurred despite a drone attack from Iraq that shut the East-West pipeline, forcing reroutes through the Strait of Hormuz. Middle East exports overall recovered to about 80% of pre-conflict levels. Oil prices fell over 2% amid U.S.-Iran talks.

8 reports · 7 sources · Updated Sep 30, 02:47 PM UTC

Saudi Arabia has completed repairs on its East-West Pipeline, damaged in a drone attack earlier this month, and resumed oil exports through the route. The pipeline, which bypasses the Strait of Hormuz, connects eastern oil fields to the Red Sea port of Yanbu. Saudi Aramco tested and pressurized the pipeline last week, restoring substantial flows. Some European customers had been informed they would receive no crude allocations next month due to tight supply. Tanker loading at Yanbu had not yet resumed as of some reports.

22 reports · 9 sources · Updated Sep 28, 11:30 AM UTC

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the U.S. will fulfill defense commitments to Saudi Arabia and called the Houthi-Saudi conflict dangerous, affirming Washington’s support for Riyadh. Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister is scheduled to meet Rubio in Washington on Monday amid escalating Houthi attacks. The U.S. declined Saudi requests for airstrikes but agreed to provide intelligence and targeting support.

8 reports · 3 sources · Updated Sep 28, 06:25 AM UTC

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on September 24, 2026, that France will deploy troops, radar systems, and defense systems to protect the Yanbu oil terminal on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast from Houthi missile and drone attacks. Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated the deployment is strictly defensive, not making France a co-belligerent. The move aims to secure a critical alternative oil export route bypassing the blocked Strait of Hormuz and stabilize global energy supplies.

27 reports · 14 sources · Updated Sep 27, 02:35 PM UTC

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud addressed the UN General Assembly, demanding the Strait of Hormuz be restored to its status before February 28, with no tolls or restrictions. He emphasized Gulf security's link to global energy security and trade stability, called for freedom of navigation in key waterways, and opposed their use as pressure tools. The demand follows a US-Israel strike on Iran and subsequent Iranian retaliation disrupting shipping.

5 reports · 3 sources · Updated Sep 27, 12:16 AM UTC

Saudi Arabia has sold nearly 100 million barrels of crude oil to Asian buyers for October and November delivery, equivalent to roughly one day of global demand. The sale follows a September 10 attack on the East-West pipeline that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz, which has not fully resumed operations. Saudi Aramco has unusually taken on shipping logistics and risk, delivering crude directly to customers in China, India, Japan, and South Korea. The move more than doubles Saudi oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz to Asia and provides a buffer for Asian refiners facing supply shortages from sanctions on Iran and political risks around Russian oil.

10 reports · 6 sources · Updated Sep 26, 03:55 PM UTC

On September 26, 2026, Yemen's Houthi militia launched drones and ballistic missiles targeting Riyadh and Khamis Mushait, Saudi Arabia. The Saudi-led coalition reported intercepting two drones and two ballistic missiles, with no casualties or damage confirmed. The attacks follow a series of recent Houthi strikes, including six ballistic missiles intercepted on September 24 and a claimed attack on Aramco facilities in Yanbu. The escalation underscores ongoing cross-border hostilities amid the Yemen conflict.

21 reports · 5 sources · Updated Sep 26, 09:40 AM UTC

Senior military commanders from Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey met in Riyadh on September 25 under the Makkah Joint Defense Agreement to discuss threats facing Saudi Arabia. They condemned attacks on Makkah and Saudi infrastructure, and agreed to deepen intelligence sharing, military coordination, and capability integration. The parties reaffirmed their commitment to collective defense and to operationalizing the defense pact.

20 reports · 3 sources · Updated Sep 25, 08:20 PM UTC

French President Emmanuel Macron announced on September 24, 2026, the deployment of military assets including soldiers, radars, and defense systems to protect the Yanbu oil terminal in Saudi Arabia from Houthi attacks. He warned that France could be targeted by a Russian drone attack similar to the Leipzig airport incident, and assessed a new Russian mobilization of 300,000 troops as credible. Macron did not rule out fuel tax cuts if prices continue to rise, and guaranteed fuel supplies until end of 2026.

6 reports · 2 sources · Updated Sep 25, 03:26 AM UTC

On September 25, 2026, Yemen's Houthi forces launched a missile attack on Saudi Arabia, with the Saudi-led coalition reporting interception of six ballistic missiles. Combined with stalled US-Iran talks, the attack drove international oil prices up about 4%, with Brent crude rising $4.10 to $107.18 per barrel and WTI gaining $3.66 to $95.82. The US expanded secondary sanctions on Iranian airlines, and Saudi Arabia increased crude flows via its East-West pipeline.

8 reports · 2 sources · Updated Sep 24, 04:36 PM UTC

Saudi Arabia's Energy Ministry denied reports that it purchased 25 oil tankers worth approximately $4.5 billion, rejecting Iraqi Oil Minister Basim Muhammad Khudair al-Abadi's claim that the acquisition drove Iraq's crude shipping costs from about $26 to $37 per barrel. The Saudi ministry attributed rising transport costs to regional tensions, disrupted Strait of Hormuz shipping, and higher insurance premiums.

5 reports · 5 sources · Updated Sep 24, 01:32 AM UTC

Saudi Arabia resumed operations on its East-West crude pipeline, shut after a drone attack, capable of transporting about 4 million barrels per day. Concurrently, US President Trump reported "very good progress" after a three-hour meeting between his envoy and Iranian mediators at the UN. These developments, plus rising US crude inventories and Iraqi exports, pushed Brent crude below $100 per barrel for the first time since September 8, with oil heading for its longest losing streak in a year.

14 reports · 8 sources · Updated Sep 23, 03:35 AM UTC

Saudi Arabia has restarted its East-West crude oil pipeline, damaged by a drone attack on September 11 that struck three pumping stations. The pipeline is operating at a low flow rate, with Saudi Aramco aiming to restore partial capacity within days. Full recovery to its 4 million barrels per day capacity is expected to take 6 to 8 weeks. The restart caused Brent crude to drop over $2 per barrel. The attack was attributed to an Iran-backed Iraqi militia.

11 reports · 7 sources · Updated Sep 22, 04:00 PM UTC

The United Kingdom has agreed to provide Saudi Arabia with limited-time defensive air-to-air refueling support to help counter Houthi attacks from Yemen. UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced the decision on September 21, stating it was in response to a Saudi request. The Royal Air Force will deploy a Voyager tanker aircraft from its base in Cyprus, with operations expected to begin within days and last several weeks. The support is explicitly defensive and temporary.

8 reports · 4 sources · Updated Sep 22, 01:20 PM UTC

Saudi Aramco has informally told at least three Asian refiners that crude loading at the Red Sea port of Yanbu may resume soon, after a September 10 drone attack from Iraq shut the East-West pipeline. The pipeline, which bypasses the Strait of Hormuz, normally carries up to 7 million barrels per day. Aramco is working to restore half capacity within days and full capacity in six weeks. European buyers have been told their October allocations are canceled.

15 reports · 7 sources · Updated Sep 22, 11:09 AM UTC

Between September 15-22, 2024, Yemen's Houthi movement accused Saudi Arabia of launching hundreds of airstrikes across multiple Yemeni governorates, including Taiz, Saada, and Hajjah. On September 22, Houthi-controlled Al Masirah TV reported three airstrikes on Mukha port in Taiz, killing six and wounding eight, including women and children. The Houthis also claimed to have retaliated on September 19 with missile and drone attacks on Riyadh and a Saudi Aramco facility in Yanbu. Saudi authorities have not responded to the allegations, which remain unverified by independent sources.

14 reports · 3 sources · Updated Sep 22, 06:49 AM UTC

The US State Department approved the potential $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 stealth fighter jets to Saudi Arabia on September 17-18, 2026, marking a major policy shift. The deal, which includes 49 engines and support equipment, requires congressional approval and faces scrutiny over Israel's military edge and technology security concerns with China. Saudi Arabia welcomed the proposal as a step in defense cooperation.

13 reports · 7 sources · Updated Sep 21, 04:53 PM UTC

Following a drone attack that shut down its East-West pipeline, Saudi Arabia has shifted crude exports to the Persian Gulf, selling approximately 60 million barrels for ship-to-ship transfer at Oman's Sohar port. Main buyers are Chinese and South Korean refiners, with some volumes to India and Japan. Gulf exports have recovered to 1-1.5 million barrels per day, helping suppress global oil prices. Saudi Arabia is working to restore half the pipeline's capacity within days.

10 reports · 9 sources · Updated Sep 21, 04:18 PM UTC

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated on September 19 that Turkey will honor the Mecca Mutual Defense Agreement and may provide military-technical assistance to Saudi Arabia following intensified Houthi attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure. The pact, signed August 7 by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan, considers an attack on one signatory as an attack on all. Saudi air defense interceptor stocks are critically low, prompting Riyadh to also seek support from France, the UK, Pakistan, and Egypt.

7 reports · 4 sources · Updated Sep 20, 10:06 AM UTC

On September 19, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated Turkey does not accept Saudi Arabia being drawn into the US-Iran conflict, noting Saudi Arabia has no intention of joining. He described recent attacks on Saudi territorial integrity and infrastructure as extremely serious. Fidan added proposals to end hostilities have been conveyed to all parties, and Turkey may assess Saudi military needs within a trilateral defense mechanism.

5 reports · 3 sources · Updated Sep 19, 08:01 PM UTC

The Houthi movement in Yemen accused Saudi Arabia of launching over 450 airstrikes across multiple Yemeni provinces in one week, using F-15 and Typhoon jets. In retaliation, the Houthis claimed to have attacked Saudi Aramco facilities in Yanbu and Khamis Mushait Air Base with ballistic missiles and drones, and to have shot down a Saudi F-15. Saudi authorities have not confirmed the attacks. The Houthis vowed to continue escalation until Saudi Arabia halts operations and lifts the blockade.

22 reports · 6 sources · Updated Sep 19, 06:56 PM UTC

A drone strike on Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline on September 10 halted crude flows to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, forcing Saudi Aramco to cancel September and October cargoes for European refiners. At least three European refineries had late-September shipments canceled or delayed to November. Brent crude briefly surged past $130 per barrel. Polish refiner Orlen launched over ten tenders for alternative supplies. Saudi authorities have not confirmed repair timelines.

17 reports · 10 sources · Updated Sep 19, 10:58 AM UTC

On September 19, multiple explosions and sounds of missile interceptions were reported in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with thick smoke observed near King Khalid International Airport. Residents received air raid alerts via mobile apps. The cause of the explosions and source of the airstrikes remain unconfirmed, with no official details on casualties or damage provided by Saudi authorities.

5 reports · 3 sources · Updated Sep 19, 09:35 AM UTC

Saudi Arabia’s exports through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait have fallen sharply, with weekly traffic since early August dropping to less than one-third of the 2023 seven-day average. Shipping data firm Kpler reported only five ships carrying Saudi products passed through in the past seven days, down from a weekly high of 11 in late July. The decline is attributed to Houthi armed forces expanding influence on the Red Sea coast, disrupting shipping through this critical chokepoint for Saudi oil exports.

5 reports · 3 sources · Updated Sep 18, 05:50 PM UTC

Pakistan's Army Chief, General Asim Munir, has repeatedly urged Iranian leaders to halt Houthi rebel attacks on Saudi Arabia and its energy infrastructure, citing a mutual defense pact between Pakistan and Riyadh. Pakistani officials warned that if Saudi Arabia invokes the agreement, Pakistan could be compelled to defend it. Munir visited Tehran last month and held multiple calls with Iran's foreign minister, pressing for restraint without issuing specific threats.

5 reports · 3 sources · Updated Sep 18, 02:18 PM UTC

U.S. Energy Secretary Wright stated on September 17 that the Saudi East-West crude oil pipeline, damaged by a drone attack on September 10, is expected to resume operations "relatively quickly." Three pump stations were hit, with two sustaining minor damage. The pipeline, which bypasses the Strait of Hormuz, had been forced to shut down. Earlier reports suggested repairs could take up to five weeks.

7 reports · 2 sources · Updated Sep 17, 10:55 PM UTC

Iran-backed Houthi rebels captured the strategic Red Sea port city of Mocha and Perim Island from Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces, advancing within 75 km of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The rapid offensive broke a years-long defensive line, giving the Houthis de facto control over the critical chokepoint for global oil and trade. Saudi Arabia shut down a pipeline in response. At least 46,000 civilians have been displaced, and oil prices surged above $100 per barrel.

29 reports · 8 sources · Updated Sep 16, 03:32 PM UTC