Coverage of events across the Middle East region.
Afghanistan’s Taliban-run Ministry of Defence says a high-level military delegation attended Russia’s Center-2026 strategic military exercises at Moscow’s invitation. The delegation observed military drills, met foreign military officials and explored opportunities for professional training and defence cooperation.
The UAE has described an incident aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv as an attempted terrorist attack after the Omani co-pilot allegedly assaulted the captain with a crash axe and tried to seize control of the aircraft. The plane landed safely in Saudi Arabia, where authorities detained the suspect. Investigations into his motive and possible links are ongoing.
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis claimed Saudi Arabia carried out 26 airstrikes on Sanaa on Saturday, while AFP and Reuters reported smoke and flames near an oil facility in Riyadh. The developments came amid escalating airstrikes and ground clashes across Yemen.
A Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted and destroyed three ballistic missiles fired by Iran-backed Houthis toward Khamis Mushait in southern Saudi Arabia. The Houthis claimed Saudi Arabia carried out 94 attacks in Yemen within 24 hours, as fighting intensified around the strategic city of Taiz.
At least five Hamas fighters were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a residential building in Gaza City early Saturday, according to Gaza health officials and aid workers. The strike comes amid a fragile ceasefire, with disputes over Hamas’s disarmament and Israeli troop withdrawal continuing. Gaza officials say at least 1,400 Palestinians have been killed since the truce began in October 2025.
Saudi-led coalition accused Iran-backed Houthis of launching a drone attack on an electricity distribution station in Madinah that supplies the Prophet’s Mosque. The strike reportedly disabled one transformer without disrupting the wider power network. The Houthis denied responsibility as Turkey, Qatar, the Arab League and Al-Azhar condemned the alleged attack.
Pakistan, Turkey and Saudi Arabia will hold an emergency defence meeting next week to discuss Iran-backed Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said, emphasizing political engagement over military action.
A man was arrested in Mecca after videos circulated online with claims of a foiled suicide bombing attempt. Saudi authorities said he was detained for harassing passersby and causing panic, while claims that he wore an explosive vest or targeted the Grand Mosque remain unverified.
At least seven people were killed and four injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a minibus carrying workers in Syria’s Homs province. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the victims belonged to the Alawite minority. No group has claimed responsibility, and the motive remains unclear.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has killed six people described by Iranian authorities as members of a “terrorist group” during an armed clash in Zahedan, the capital of southeastern Sistan and Baluchestan province, state media reported Thursday. The IRGC said explosive materials were also seized. Human rights organisation Haalvsh reported that fighting between security forces and armed individuals began early in the morning and continued for several hours. The identities of thos
The United States has completed the withdrawal of its remaining troops and military equipment from Iraq, formally ending its 12-year anti-ISIS military mission. The final U.S. forces departed Erbil Air Base on September 30, with the Pentagon saying responsibility for confronting ISIS remnants and other security threats now rests primarily with Iraqi forces. The withdrawal marks a shift from the U.S.-led coalition mission to a bilateral security partnership between Washington and Baghdad
A Flydubai flight carrying around 150 passengers from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk after a knife attack allegedly broke out between two pilots inside the cockpit. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacking pilot apparently intended to crash the aircraft, while passengers helped restrain him and relief pilots took control of the plane. Both pilots were injured and taken to hospital. Flydubai confirmed a cockpit altercation and said
