Yemen's Houthi rebels have reportedly demanded $51 billion in compensation from Saudi Arabia and official recognition as Yemen's legitimate rulers in exchange for ending the war. The demand follows Riyadh's efforts to negotiate a settlement with the Iran-backed group. The Houthis are seeking compensation for years of Saudi airstrikes and a prolonged blockade, while tensions continue over Red Sea shipping routes and the strategic Bab al-Mandeb chokepoint.

Houthi rebels seek legitimacy as Yemen's ruling authority

Egypt is navigating a growing rift between Saudi Arabia and the UAE as conflicting agendas in Yemen, Sudan and across the region complicate its strategic choices. Cairo relies on the UAE for liquidity and major investment deals, while Saudi Arabia remains crucial to its regional security calculations. With neutrality becoming harder to maintain, can Egypt balance both Gulf rivals while protecting its economic interests and national security?

Saudi security crisis tests Egypt's regional strategy

Saudi Arabia's execution of two Bangladeshi nationals in Makkah on October 14 has sparked a diplomatic row with Bangladesh. The executions have prompted Dhaka to demand answers from Riyadh, raising fresh questions over bilateral ties and the treatment of Bangladeshi nationals abroad.

Shock, anger and despair in Bangladesh over the executions 

Saudi Arabia has postponed its flagship Future Investment Initiative (FII), known as “Davos in the Desert,” from October 2026 to 2027 amid escalating Houthi drone and missile attacks. The delay comes as the kingdom faces growing security pressures, raising questions about the impact of regional conflict on investor confidence and Saudi Arabia’s economic ambitions.

Houthi-Saudi war: Saudi investment drive hit by escalating regional war

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has condemned repeated Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and pledged its support for the kingdom amid escalating regional tensions. The six-member bloc—Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates—issued the statement on Sunday after a meeting of foreign ministers in Manama, Bahrain. 

Qatar, Oman and UAE criticise strikes on Saudi Arabia 

Yemen’s internationally recognised government says the Houthis have launched missiles at the airport in Aden, a day after carrying out a deadly attack targeting the presidential palace in the port city.

Yemeni Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani said two missiles landed near the runway at Aden International Airport on Friday, 500 metres (1,640 feet) from an aircraft that was preparing to take off.

Houthis say Saudi command HQ, weapons depot in Badr camp hit

Iran denied encouraging Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and renewed its offer to mediate as Riyadh reported intercepting missiles and drones and the UN Security Council condemned the escalating strikes.

Iran rejects Saudi accusations of backing Houthi attacks, offers to mediate between Saudi & Houthis

Iran reportedly fears an imminent U.S. attack and is eyeing a large-scale retaliation. According to a report, Tehran is threatening to target vital bridges in seven west Asian nations including Israel.

Iran threatens to hit key bridges in 7 countries if US resumes strikes

Saudi Arabia is shifting its 10th annual Future Investment Initiative (FII), dubbed “Davos in the Desert,” to a hybrid format following Houthi drone and missile attacks on Riyadh airport. The move comes amid heightened security concerns as the kingdom prepares to host the high-profile global investment summit.

Houthi attacks put Saudi Arabia's investment drive at risk

A 24-year-old Sri Lankan migrant worker, Anojan Sivarasa, is facing the death penalty in Saudi Arabia over a Facebook comment that allegedly insulted Islam and Prophet Muhammad. Saudi prosecutors have appealed the case and asked the court to consider it under Sharia law rather than cybercrime laws, while Sivarasa’s family is pleading for mercy.


24-year-old Sri Lankan man sentenced to death for blasphemy in Saudi

Houthis launched ballistic missile strikes on Saudi Arabia's King Khalid and Abha International airports, resulting in the death of three people. Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh urged all Indians in Saudi Arabia to remain alert and vigilant.

Houthis mount fresh ballistic missile attack on Riyadh as 3 killed in airport strikes

Residents in Saudi Arabia’s capital reported multiple explosions on Thursday as the kingdom’s renewed military campaign against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen intensifies. The reports came a day after Saudi authorities said Houthi strikes on two major airports killed three people and injured dozens.


Saudi-led coalition and Houthis engage in a grinding battle 

Three people were reportedly killed in Saudi Arabia following Houthi attacks targeting airports, adding to regional tensions and raising fresh concerns over the safety of civilian infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Israel carried out strikes in Gaza as the October 7 attack anniversary was marked, with the conflict continuing to drive regional instability and a heavy humanitarian toll. The developments highlight the wider security tensions across the Middle East.

Iran-backed groups target Riyadh airport with ballistic missiles

The Houthis fired missiles at Aden International Airport as fighting with Saudi-backed forces intensified across Yemen. Saudi Arabia responded with airstrikes on Sanaa and northern Yemen, while Riyadh said it intercepted Houthi missiles targeting Khamis Mushait and areas north of the Saudi capital. Saudi-backed forces are pushing toward the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait as the conflict threatens to spill further into the Red Sea and Gulf.

Houthis launch attacks on Aden as Yemeni forces claim battlefield advance | Race To Power

Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced that a Saudi-led coalition airstrike on a prison in Al-Hazm, Al-Jawf province, killed nine detainees. The incident coincided with an escalation in hostilities, including reports of separate airstrikes in Mocha and Houthi cross-border drone and missile operations.


Houthis: Saudi Arabia Attack on Yemen prison kills nine

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have reportedly seized the strategic Red Sea port of Mocha, raising concerns over control of the Bab al-Mandeb strait. The group has also carried out attacks on Saudi Arabia, with around 70 people reportedly wounded. The escalating threats to Saudi energy, civilian and defence infrastructure are raising questions over the possible operationalisation of the Mecca Pact involving Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan.

Will the Houthi attacks activate the Mecca pact?

Black smoke and flames were seen near Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport on Saturday, with residents reporting explosions in the Saudi capital. An Aramco fuel tank near the airport was later reported on fire, while flight cancellations and delays were reported at the airport.

 'Major Problems' reported, flights disrupted at Riyadh airport after overnight air raid alert

Massive crowds gathered in Yemen’s capital Sanaa on September 18 for a Million-Man Rally. Protesters rejected Saudi claims that Houthi forces targeted Mecca and called for an end to the ongoing blockade.

Thousands rally in Sanaa against blockade and Mecca claims

US President Donald Trump says he is approaching a “big decision” over the next phase of the Iran war. Trump has indicated he is weighing whether to resume large-scale military action against Iran. His remarks come ahead of planned talks with leaders from six Gulf nations on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Trump has also said Iran wants a deal, but that Tehran is not yet ready. The latest developments come as Washington weighs military action alongside diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.


Houthis and Saudi Arabia trade fresh attacks as Trump weighs next big decision on Iran

As fighting between Saudi Arabia and Houthis escalated, the credibility of the Mecca pact is again at stake. Pakistan's defence minister Khawaja Asif has now hinted at the possibility of his country joining Saudi Arabia in the battle against Houthis.


Pakistan threatens to join war against Iran ally as Houthis attack Saudi

In a major escalation, Saudi Arabia has vowed retaliation after Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis launched a wave of attacks on Saudi Arabia, leaving more than 70 people injured and setting oil facilities ablaze.

 Saudi Arabia vows retaliation as Houthi attacks set oil facilities ablaze, Yemen clashes kill 300

Saudi Aramco is assessing damage after a reported fresh strike on its Jizan oil complex near the Yemen border. The extent of damage and impact on production remain unclear, with no group claiming responsibility so far.


Houthis launch missile Salvo on Saudi Arabia, Aramco oil facilities hit

Oil, war and rising deficits are forcing Riyadh to rethink Saudi Arabia’s economic and strategic future. As regional conflict disrupts trade and energy routes, the kingdom faces growing pressure to protect its oil revenues while continuing its ambitious Vision 2030 transformation. 

Saudi seeks billions in loans as economic pressures mount 

US President Donald Trump has praised the new defence pact between Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, calling it a “BIG, BOLD, IMPORTANT FIRST STEP.” Signed on August 7, the three-way agreement comes amid escalating regional tensions and a wider rethink of Middle East security arrangements.

US president lauds Pak, Turkiye & Saudi Arabia for inking new pact 

Houthi militants have struck a cargo ship in the Red Sea with missiles, killing at least six people, according to Yemen’s government. The attack marks a fresh escalation in the region’s shipping crisis, raising concerns over maritime security and disruptions to vital trade routes.

Red Sea War: Six killed in deadly Houthi strikes on Red Sea vessel 

Pakistan has refused to intervene militarily following recent Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia, exposing immediate cracks in a newly formed trilateral alliance. Despite signing a landmark Mecca joint defence agreement alongside Saudi Arabia and Turkey just days ago—which includes a NATO-style collective defence clause—Islamabad has refrained from deploying its army into active combat against the Yemeni rebel group.

Pak runs away from Houthi battlefield, refrains from deploying army against Houthis 

US President Donald Trump has once again paused planned military strikes on Iran, and mentioned new set of talks are about to start. However, Iran has firmly rejected Trump's claims that it requested Washington to halt military action, calling the allegations false.

In this report, we examine the latest developments in the escalating US-Iran crisis, the role of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries in preventing a wider regional war, and whether diplomacy can still succeed after months of conflict.


Trump playbook: Threaten massive strikes & then call them off

US President Donald Trump has once again paused planned military strikes on Iran, and mentioned new set of talks are about to start. However, Iran has firmly rejected Trump's claims that it requested Washington to halt military action, calling the allegations false.

In this report, we examine the latest developments in the escalating US-Iran crisis, the role of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries in preventing a wider regional war, and whether diplomacy can still succeed after months of conflict.

US-Iran War: Trump says new talks will begin on Monday, Iran denies

US-Iran War: Trump says Iran asked to call off strike, Tehran denies claim

The Iran-backed Houthis say they have targeted a Saudi oil tanker in the Red Sea, reinforcing a maritime blockade strategy that echoes Iran's pressure tactics in the Strait of Hormuz. The attack signals a widening threat to regional shipping and energy routes amid escalating tensions in West Asia.

Red Sea blockade raises fears for global energy, trade routes

On July 30, 2026, Saudi Arabia and 13 other nations officially announced the creation of the Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance to safeguard critical international shipping corridors. The coalition was formed to defend freedom of navigation, secure international trade routes, and protect vital global energy supply lines. 


Saudi Arabia unveils new Multinational Maritime Defense Alliance

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