West Asia remains on the boil. Riyadh's international airport has been the epicentre of the escalating tensions as the Saudi-Houthi war takes a dangerous turn. What's at stake? What's Saudi Arabia's strategy? 


Deadly Riyadh airport attacks: Saudis clueless, crown prince tightens his security

Germany has accused Russia of being linked to an attempted drone attack, with a German minister saying the incident fits the pattern of Moscow's alleged hybrid operations across Europe. Authorities reported no injuries or major damage, but the incident has heightened concerns about the use of drones and other unconventional tactics targeting critical infrastructure and public spaces. The accusation comes amid growing tensions between Russia and European nations over security, espionage and cyber threats. Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the attempted attack as Berlin weighs its response to the alleged security challenge.

Germany-Russia trade blames: NATO, EU rally behind Berlin

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday (Oct 7) visited the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad after a tragic terrorist attack outside Karachi airport claimed the lives of two Chinese nationals. There, the Pakistani PM met with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong and expressed his condolences.

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:84,&quot;w&quot;:813,&quot;h&quot;:25,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1824}">Pak govt fully committed to identifying the perpetrators</h2>

Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif, during the meeting with Chinese Ambassador Zaidong, conveyed his deep sorrow and grief over the loss of life of the Chinese nationals. According to reports, he assured the Chinese ambassador that the nation's government was committed to swiftly identifying the perpetrators behind the attack.

Also read |&nbsp;<a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:194,&quot;w&quot;:739,&quot;h&quot;:33,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1934}" href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-two-chinese-and-others-killed-in-blast-outside-karachi-airport-bla-claims-responsibility-765034">Pakistan: Chinese convoy attacked, at least two killed in blast at Karachi airport; BLA claims responsibility</a>

"The government is actively working to ensure the immediate identification of those responsible for this heinous act," he said. Sharif said that those behind the terror attack will be brought to justice without delay.

Calling the attack a "vile conspiracy to undermine" Pakistan's ties with China, Sharif&nbsp;said&nbsp;it "will not be tolerated."

"The protection of our Chinese brothers residing in Pakistan remains our foremost concern," he said.

The PM said that he would personally oversee the investigation and promised to further enhance the security measures for all foreign nationals living and working in Pakistan.

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:409,&quot;w&quot;:813,&quot;h&quot;:25,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2149}">Karachi airport terror attack</h2>

In Pakistan's Karachi, a massive blast outside the airport on Sunday night (Oct 6) claimed the lives of at least two people, and injured&nbsp;eight others.

The two confirmed dead, as per a PTI report citing officials, were workers from China.

Also read |&nbsp;<a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:7,&quot;y&quot;:694,&quot;w&quot;:777,&quot;h&quot;:33,&quot;abs_x&quot;:40,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2585}" href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/dont-call-them-daughters-islamic-preacher-zakir-naik-refuses-to-share-stage-with-orphan-girls-in-pakistan-764401">Don't call them daughters': Islamic preacher Zakir Naik refuses to share stage with orphan girls in Pakistan</a>

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack. The group in a post claimed that Fidayee Shah Fahad, alias Aftab, a BLA agent of the Majeed Brigade, was the perpetrator behind the attack.

In an email&nbsp;statement to journalists, the separatist militant group revealed that the attack carried out by them made use of a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device and that the targets were Chinese nationals and engineers.

(With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday (Oct 7) visited the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad after a tragic terrorist attack outside Karachi airport claimed the lives of two Chinese nationals.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday (Oct 7) visited the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad after a tragic terrorist attack outside Karachi airport claimed the lives of two Chinese nationals. There, the Pakistani PM met with Chinese Ambassador Jiang Zaidong and expressed his condolences. Pak govt fully committed to identifying the perpetrators Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif, during the meeting with Chinese Ambassador Zaidong, conveyed his deep sorrow and grief over the loss of life of the Chinese nationals. According to reports, he assured the Chinese ambassador that the nation's government was committed to swiftly identifying the perpetrators behind the attack. Also read | Pakistan: Chinese convoy attacked, at least two killed in blast at Karachi airport; BLA claims responsibility "The government is actively working to ensure the immediate identification of those responsible for this heinous act," he said. Sharif said that those behind the terror attack will be brought to justice without delay. Calling the attack a "vile conspiracy to undermine" Pakistan's ties with China, Sharif said it "will not be tolerated." "The protection of our Chinese brothers residing in Pakistan remains our foremost concern," he said. The PM said that he would personally oversee the investigation and promised to further enhance the security measures for all foreign nationals living and working in Pakistan. Karachi airport terror attack In Pakistan's Karachi, a massive blast outside the airport on Sunday night (Oct 6) claimed the lives of at least two people, and injured eight others. The two confirmed dead, as per a PTI report citing officials, were workers from China. Also read | Don't call them daughters': Islamic preacher Zakir Naik refuses to share stage with orphan girls in Pakistan The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack. The group in a post claimed that Fidayee Shah Fahad, alias Aftab, a BLA agent of the Majeed Brigade, was the perpetrator behind the attack. In an email statement to journalists, the separatist militant group revealed that the attack carried out by them made use of a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device and that the targets were Chinese nationals and engineers. (With inputs from agencies)

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif himself rushed to Chinese embassy after deadly Karachi airport attack killed two

Six airports across France were evacuated, on Wednesday (Oct 18), after the authorities received an email of "threats of attack", news agency AFP cited a police source as saying.&nbsp;

This is the latest threat in a spate of such incidents reported in the country.

The evacuations at Lille, Lyon, Nantes, Nice, Toulouse and Beauvais airports near the French capital Paris would allow authorities to "clear up any doubts" if the threats were real, the source said.

As per AFP reports, France's DGAC aviation authority spokesman also confirmed the evacuations made over the bomb threats at Lille, Lyon, Toulouse and Beauvais but did not give any further details immediately.

The DGAC's online dashboard displayed noteworthy delays at Lille, Lyon and Toulouse airports respectively.

Nice Airport also took to its official X account and shared a post saying that after "an abandoned baggage item... a security perimeter was set up to allow the usual checks. The situation has now returned to normal".

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Following an abandoned baggage item in terminal 1, a security perimeter was set up to allow the usual checks to be carried out. The situation has now returned to normal.
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&nbsp;

The authorities at Lyon's Bron airport also said that the all-clear had been given.

A spokeswoman at Lille said that three flights had been diverted, while a post on the airport's X account said security forces were on the scene.

The incident caused chaos among the passengers with some apparently confused over why they were being steered out of airports.

Palace of Versailles, Louvre Museum evacuated after bomb threats&nbsp;

Last week, the Louvre Museum in Paris and the Palace of Versailles were evacuated after receiving bomb threats. The alert came via an anonymous message online.

The spokeswoman for the Louvre told news agency AFP it had “received a written message stating that there was a risk to the museum and its visitors.”&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Six airports across France were evacuated, on Wednesday (Oct 18), after the authorities received an email of "threats of attack", news agency AFP cited a police source as saying.

Six airports across France were evacuated, on Wednesday (Oct 18), after the authorities received an email of "threats of attack", news agency AFP cited a police source as saying. This is the latest threat in a spate of such incidents reported in the country. The evacuations at Lille, Lyon, Nantes, Nice, Toulouse and Beauvais airports near the French capital Paris would allow authorities to "clear up any doubts" if the threats were real, the source said. As per AFP reports, France's DGAC aviation authority spokesman also confirmed the evacuations made over the bomb threats at Lille, Lyon, Toulouse and Beauvais but did not give any further details immediately. The DGAC's online dashboard displayed noteworthy delays at Lille, Lyon and Toulouse airports respectively. Nice Airport also took to its official X account and shared a post saying that after "an abandoned baggage item... a security perimeter was set up to allow the usual checks. The situation has now returned to normal". Following an abandoned baggage item in terminal 1, a security perimeter was set up to allow the usual checks to be carried out. The situation has now returned to normal. — Aéroport de Nice (@AeroportNice) October 18, 2023 × The authorities at Lyon's Bron airport also said that the all-clear had been given. A spokeswoman at Lille said that three flights had been diverted, while a post on the airport's X account said security forces were on the scene. The incident caused chaos among the passengers with some apparently confused over why they were being steered out of airports. Palace of Versailles, Louvre Museum evacuated after bomb threats Last week, the Louvre Museum in Paris and the Palace of Versailles were evacuated after receiving bomb threats. The alert came via an anonymous message online. The spokeswoman for the Louvre told news agency AFP it had “received a written message stating that there was a risk to the museum and its visitors.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Six airports evacuated in France after 'threats of attack'

Five months after the chaotic evacuation of US troops from Afghanistan, testimonies from multiple commanders involved in this operation have now been released to the public. Details from the final days of the evacuation have come to light from the planning to the life and death decisions made daily by US soldiers.

Kabul airport attack: Life or Death decisions were made by US troops

Two Yemeni rebel drones targeting southern Saudi Arabia were intercepted on Saturday, a Riyadh-led military coalition said, the latest in a series of assaults on the kingdom.

The first drone targeted the province of Jizan and the second was aimed at a residential area in Asir province, the coalition said in a statement released by the official Saudi Press Agency.

The coalition did not report any damage or casualties.

The rebels earlier claimed drone attacks on the airports in Jizan and Abha, the capital of Asir, according to the group's Al-Masirah TV.

The Iran-aligned Huthi rebels, who have faced persistent coalition bombing since March 2015 which has exacted a heavy civilian death toll, have stepped up missile and drone attacks across the border in recent weeks.

On June 12, a rebel missile attack on Abha airport wounded 26 civilians, drawing promises of "stern action" from the coalition.

And on June 23, another rebel attack on Abha airport killed a Syrian national and wounded 21 other civilians, according to the coalition.

The raids come amid heightened regional tensions after Washington -- a key ally of Riyadh -- accused Iran of shooting down a US drone over international waters and of carrying out attacks on oil tankers in the strategic Gulf of Oman.

Saudi Arabia has repeatedly accused Iran of supplying sophisticated weapons to Huthi rebels, a charge Tehran denies.

Following recent attacks, Saudi state media have reported an intensification of coalition air raids on rebel positions in the northern Yemeni province of Hajjah and the Huthi-held capital Sanaa.

The coalition intervened in support of the Yemeni government in 2015 when President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi fled into Saudi exile as the rebels closed in on his last remaining territory in and around the second city Aden.

Since then, the conflict has killed tens of thousands of people, many of them civilians, relief agencies say.

The fighting has triggered what the United Nations describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with millions of people displaced and in need of aid.

Two Yemeni rebel drones targeting southern Saudi Arabia were intercepted on Saturday, a Riyadh-led military coalition said, the latest in a series of assaults on the kingdom.

Two Yemeni rebel drones targeting southern Saudi Arabia were intercepted on Saturday, a Riyadh-led military coalition said, the latest in a series of assaults on the kingdom. The first drone targeted the province of Jizan and the second was aimed at a residential area in Asir province, the coalition said in a statement released by the official Saudi Press Agency. The coalition did not report any damage or casualties. The rebels earlier claimed drone attacks on the airports in Jizan and Abha, the capital of Asir, according to the group's Al-Masirah TV. The Iran-aligned Huthi rebels, who have faced persistent coalition bombing since March 2015 which has exacted a heavy civilian death toll, have stepped up missile and drone attacks across the border in recent weeks. On June 12, a rebel missile attack on Abha airport wounded 26 civilians, drawing promises of "stern action" from the coalition. And on June 23, another rebel attack on Abha airport killed a Syrian national and wounded 21 other civilians, according to the coalition. The raids come amid heightened regional tensions after Washington -- a key ally of Riyadh -- accused Iran of shooting down a US drone over international waters and of carrying out attacks on oil tankers in the strategic Gulf of Oman. Saudi Arabia has repeatedly accused Iran of supplying sophisticated weapons to Huthi rebels, a charge Tehran denies. Following recent attacks, Saudi state media have reported an intensification of coalition air raids on rebel positions in the northern Yemeni province of Hajjah and the Huthi-held capital Sanaa. The coalition intervened in support of the Yemeni government in 2015 when President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi fled into Saudi exile as the rebels closed in on his last remaining territory in and around the second city Aden. Since then, the conflict has killed tens of thousands of people, many of them civilians, relief agencies say. The fighting has triggered what the United Nations describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with millions of people displaced and in need of aid.

Saudi Arabia intercepts two Yemen rebel drones: Riyadh-led coalition

The man shot dead at Paris&#39;s Orly airport after attacking a soldier was under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time, a judicial source said Sunday.

&quot;Toxicology tests carried out on Sunday showed an alcohol level of 0.93 grams per litre in his blood, and the presence of cannabis and cocaine,&quot; the source said, a day after the incident at the French capital`s second-busiest airport.

The attacker, named as Ziyed Ben Belgacem, had shouted that he was there to &quot;die for Allah&quot;.&nbsp;

Ben Belgacem, a Frenchman born to Tunisian parents, was known to police and intelligence agencies.

He had been investigated for links to radical Islam and was jailed for five years in 2001 for armed robbery, and again in 2009 for drug dealing.&nbsp;

(AFP) 
&nbsp;

The attacker was known to police and intelligence agencies

The man shot dead at Paris's Orly airport after attacking a soldier was under the influence of drugs and alcohol at the time, a judicial source said Sunday. "Toxicology tests carried out on Sunday showed an alcohol level of 0.93 grams per litre in his blood, and the presence of cannabis and cocaine," the source said, a day after the incident at the French capital`s second-busiest airport. The attacker, named as Ziyed Ben Belgacem, had shouted that he was there to "die for Allah". Ben Belgacem, a Frenchman born to Tunisian parents, was known to police and intelligence agencies. He had been investigated for links to radical Islam and was jailed for five years in 2001 for armed robbery, and again in 2009 for drug dealing. (AFP)

French airport attacker was under influence of alcohol, drugs: Report

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