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Saudi Arabia and UAE say drone attacks were launched from Iraq
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates said that recent drone attacks targeting their territory originated from Iraq, increasing pressure on Baghdad to address the activities of Iranian-backed militias operating inside the country. The incidents come amid continued regional tensions involving Iran and have intensified scrutiny of Iraq’s newly formed government.
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UAE sanctions Hezbollah-linked financial network, reflecting US designations
The UAE’s designation of 16 Hezbollah-linked individuals and five affiliated organizations mirrors prior US Treasury sanctions targeting the broader web of financial, accounting, and institutional entities connected to Hezbollah’s economic ecosystem.
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Iran’s war against regional states: UAE bore the brunt, Iraqi Kurdistan still under fire
The ceasefire between the US and Iran has largely held since April 8, and large-scale Iranian barrages targeting predominantly Arab states have ended. However, some attacks, particularly against Iraqi Kurdistan, have continued.
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Syria focuses on diplomacy amid Iran war
Syria has sought to position itself as a diplomatic actor amid the regional conflict with Iran, maintaining relative stability while several neighboring states faced significant missile and drone attacks. Damascus has intensified high-level engagements with Turkey, the United States, and Ukraine, highlighting efforts to rebuild international ties following the fall of the Bashar al Assad regime.
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Kuwait and UAE report disrupting domestic Hezbollah cells
Kuwaiti and UAE authorities stated that they discovered and arrested terror cells linked to Hezbollah operating in their countries. The Lebanese group denied the allegations, insisting that it does not have operatives in the Gulf states.
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Iran continues striking civilian infrastructure and US bases in the Gulf (March 7–8 updates)
Between March 7 and 8, Iran continued launching drones and missiles across the Persian Gulf, targeting energy infrastructure, airports, military bases, government buildings, and urban areas in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates.
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UAE forces to depart Yemen after Saudi demands, strikes
The United Arab Emirates announced the withdrawal of its forces from Yemen after demands for their departure from Saudi and select Yemeni leaders and Saudi airstrikes targeting Yemeni separatist groups. The UAE forces previously served in a counterterrorism capacity as part of the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as well as their respective local partners, are renegotiating the balance of power in Yemen after southern separatist forces captured the country’s eastern territory.
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UAE ‘likely’ building airstrip on strategic island in Red Sea
Satellite imagery shows an airstrip under construction on Zuqar Island, a strategic location in the Red Sea that is under the control of the National Resistance Forces (NRF), an anti-Houthi partner of the UAE. The UAE has reportedly been behind the development of a series of airstrips across strategic locations in and around the Red and Arabian Seas.
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Yemeni forces planning ground offensive against the Houthis
Reports are emerging across Yemeni and global media of an impending ground offensive against the Houthis by a conglomeration of anti-Houthi forces. These potential plans center on the west coast of Yemen, an economic center for the terrorist group.
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Syria appoints new president amid widespread diplomatic engagement efforts
On January 29, Ahmed al Sharaa was declared the new president of Syria in the transitional government that came into power after the collapse of the Assad regime on December 8. This declaration led to congratulations from several Arab states in the region, and the Qatari emir arrived in Damascus on January 30, the first head of state to visit the new ruler. These developments are part of a broad diplomatic outreach by Sharaa and his new foreign minister.
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Analysis: Taliban leader Sirajuddin Haqqani becomes a statesman
After meeting the ruler of the UAE, Sirajuddin Haqqani traveled to Saudi Arabia to attend the Hajj. His travel was approved by the international community. Official recognition is almost certainly to follow.
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US launches first drone strike of the year in Somalia
Three Shabaab members were killed in what U.S. Africa Command described as a “collective self-defense airstrike” in the Lower Juba region. Shabaab, Al Qaeda’s branch in East Africa, remains a dangerous threat.
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Houthis Renew Attack on Abu Dhabi With Ballistic Missiles
Abu Dhabi came under renewed ballistic missile attack by the Houthis Monday morning in response to its role in the Saudi-led conflict in Yemen.
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Houthis launch aerial attack against UAE capital Abu Dhabi
Houthi spokesperson announced the Iran-backed group conducted a high profile strike against sites in the UAE on Monday.
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Purported new militant group claims drone attack against Saudi Arabia
A newly formed militant group claims drone attack against Saudi Arabia after a double suicide bombing in Iraq on Thursday.
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Palestinian militant groups condemn Morocco’s agreement to normalize relations with Israel
Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other Palestinian militant groups published statements denouncing the normalization of ties between Morocco and Israel.
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Houthis kill over 100 Yemeni soldiers in missile, drone attack on base
The strike is one of the deadliest attacks in the conflict since 2014.
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Houthis claim major drone operation near the UAE
The confirmed drone strikes near the Saudi borders with the UAE is a worrying development in the conflict.
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Analysis: Houthi drone strikes in Saudi Arabia and Yemen
Beginning last year, the Houthis have launched dozens of drone strikes inside Saudi Arabia and Yemen. FDD’s Long War Journal has mapped these strikes.
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Analysis: Houthi missiles against the Saudi-led coalition
Since 2015, the Houthi insurgents in Yemen have launched a myriad of ballistic missiles into Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and at various sites across Yemen. FDD’s Long War Journal has mapped these missile launches.
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AQAP responds to Al Jazeera documentary
Al Jazeera released a documentary alleging that Bahrain and al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula work together. Today, the al Qaeda branch denied this accusation in a letter to the editor.
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Analysis: Gulf governments sponsored anti-Semitic hate preachers during Ramadan 2019
Hate preachers were hosted by Gulf governments at multiple events during Ramadan 2019. The Government of Qatar continued to be the worst offender in this regard.
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Yemen’s Houthis target Saudi airports
The Houthi insurgents claimed hitting a southern Saudi airport with a cruise missile, as well as drone strikes.
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Taliban remains on defensive over bombing that killed 5 UAE dilomats
In what looks to be an act of desperation to distance itself from the attack, the jihadist group has now issued three separate statements of denial of involvement.
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Yemeni Houthis fire at ship with Iranian-supplied missile
On Saturday, Yemeni Houthi rebels fired projectiles against an Emirati military vessel in the strategic Mandeb Strait. The U.S. Navy has dispatched three warships to the area. U.S. officials say Iran supplied “shoulder-fired rockets.” [Update: military experts say this claim is inconsistent with footage from the video and damage to the vessel]
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Gulf states pay price for intervention against Houthis in Yemen
The Houthis have destroyed several armored vehicles, including US-supplied M1 Abrams tanks, while battling Saudi and Emirati troops.
