AGP Executive Report

Saudi Escalation: Houthi attacks on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport killed at least 12 people, prompting a closure through Oct. 17 and widespread flight cancellations. Saudi Arabia has also shot down missiles and warned residents near a Yemeni oil facility to evacuate, as Riyadh weighs its response. Civilian Toll: The Red Cross warned that escalating hostilities could have disastrous consequences for millions, citing mounting deaths, displacement and damage to civilian infrastructure in Yemen. Economic Fallout: Egypt says regional instability has cost it $20 billion in Suez Canal revenue; oil above $105 a barrel is adding pressure to its budget and inflation. The IMF also warns that conflict and supply disruptions threaten global growth. Diplomacy and Rights: China’s Wang Yi told a UAE envoy Beijing would support a ceasefire and political settlement. In Erbil, Kurdish leaders Masrour Barzani and Mazloum Abdi discussed Syria’s stability and protecting Kurdish rights. West Bank: A CBS investigation reported that extremist settler farms and intimidation have helped displace or erase more than 100 Palestinian communities.

Saudi-Yemen Escalation: President Trump says Washington is weighing military support for Saudi Arabia after Houthi missile strikes on Riyadh’s airport killed civilians and injured hundreds. The airport is closed through Oct. 17, and the Houthis have threatened further attacks. A U.S. intervention could widen the conflict. Energy Risks: Saudi Arabia vows a serious response as attacks on Gulf infrastructure and shipping push oil above $105 a barrel, adding to global supply and inflation concerns. Palestinian Politics: The Palestinian Authority has postponed parliamentary elections planned for November, citing political, security and economic obstacles; no legislative vote has been held since 2006. Syria’s Future: Kurdish politician Ilham Ahmed says Kurdish rights must be protected in Syria’s constitution, warning that centralisation and declining women’s participation could fuel tensions.

Saudi Arabia: Houthi missile and drone attacks on Riyadh airport killed at least 12 people and injured more than 300. The airport closure has been extended as Saudi Arabia investigates how its air defenses failed; South Korea urged its citizens to leave the kingdom. Regional Security: Airstrikes hit Yemen’s capital, while a drone attack near the Strait of Hormuz left two Indian sailors missing, raising fresh concerns about shipping and a wider conflict. Energy: Aramco’s chief warned that disruption to Hormuz and attacks on energy sites threaten global supplies, especially diesel. Saudi Arabia also signed energy cooperation agreements with Kuwait, Qatar and Egypt. Iraq: Government forces stepped up strikes on remaining ISIS cells after the U.S. withdrawal, amid concern the group could exploit security gaps. Business: Egypt’s Elaraby Group and South Africa’s Malben Engineering signed a preliminary agreement to explore manufacturing automotive components in Egypt.

Saudi Airport Attacks: Houthi strikes on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport have killed at least 12 people and wounded more than 300, with further attacks reported in Riyadh and Dammam. Saudi Arabia vows a decisive response, while President Trump is weighing possible US action. Travel Disruption: Riyadh airport remains closed and governments are urging citizens to leave Saudi Arabia or avoid travel. Flight disruptions are also disrupting medical travel across the region, while rising oil prices reflect fears over supply. Regional Escalation: A senior Iranian official threatened regional cables, data centres and AI facilities if the war intensifies, adding to concerns about a wider conflict. West Bank: A new report describes settlers using sheep herds to push Palestinians from homes and farmland, amid rising violence ahead of Israeli elections. Bahrain’s Economy: Lawmakers say the new legislative session will focus on growth, investment and food and water security.

Saudi-Yemen Escalation: A strike on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport killed 12 people and wounded 309, Saudi authorities said; the Saudi-led coalition blamed the Houthis and vowed a “decisive” response. Airport operations were suspended, and Houthi media later reported a Saudi strike on Sana’a airport, which Riyadh had not confirmed. Several countries urged citizens to leave Saudi Arabia as the Houthis threatened further attacks. Humanitarian Crisis: At least 109 migrants, including 15 children, died and more than 116 remain missing after a boat capsized off Djibouti while travelling to Yemen, the IOM said. Food Security: Global food prices reached their highest level since late 2022, with the UN citing shipping disruption around the Strait of Hormuz and climate pressures as risks for import-dependent countries.

Saudi Security: Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport was attacked Saturday, killing 12 people and injuring 309, Saudi officials said. Operations were suspended as authorities assessed damage; diplomatic sources blamed Yemen’s Houthis, who have also targeted Saudi oil facilities and shipping. Regional Escalation: President Donald Trump said he is weighing US strikes on the Houthis after the latest attacks. The widening threat to civilian sites and trade routes raises the risk of a broader confrontation. Qatar’s Resilience: With shipping disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz driving up freight and insurance costs, Qatari experts say stronger local manufacturing is vital to safeguarding supplies of food, medicines and building materials.

Saudi Security: Houthi attacks on Riyadh airport killed three people and damaged three aircraft, disrupting air traffic. The strikes have prompted fresh security warnings as Yemen’s conflict escalates. Gaza: A year after the US-brokered ceasefire, progress has stalled. Nearly 1,400 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes since it began, while aid access remains constrained. Iran: Tehran retains the ability to produce missiles and drones despite eight months of US-Israeli strikes, according to Western officials, challenging claims that its military threat has been dismantled. Sudan: A drone strike in Blue Nile state killed at least 40 people, including children, a rights group said.

Yemen and Saudi Arabia: A UN envoy warns Yemen has returned to “full-scale war” as fighting spreads across several fronts. Three Saudis, including an airline pilot, were killed in attacks on Riyadh airport; airlines suspended some flights, while Saudi forces struck Houthi missile sites. Yemeni government-aligned forces also reportedly regained ground near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. Iran Tensions: The Pentagon is preparing options for strikes on Iranian missile, drone and energy sites as a third US aircraft carrier heads to the region. That buildup contrasts with President Donald Trump’s pledge not to attack Iran before the US midterm elections, while he says talks are productive. Military Health: US troops wounded in Iran’s March drone strike on Kuwait describe missed brain injuries and months-long waits for care; the Pentagon says treatment was appropriate. Dubai Education: KHDA will assess schools on teaching and student progress, with added attention to early learning, Emirati pupils, inclusive education and Arabic.

Saudi Security: Houthi attacks on Riyadh’s airport killed three people and wounded dozens, prompting Pakistan International Airlines to suspend Riyadh flights and European regulators to warn carriers away from parts of Saudi airspace. Iran Conflict: Donald Trump says the US will not strike Iran before November’s midterm elections, while Tehran reviews proposals to end the war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The pause eased oil prices, but shipping risks remain high. Afghan Returns: More than 581,000 Afghans have returned from Iran this year, 85% of them forcibly deported, adding pressure to Afghanistan’s already strained housing and services. Regional Business: Natixis expects at least 10% growth in its Middle East business next year and plans to expand hiring in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, despite wartime uncertainty. Energy Security: Saudi Arabia and the UAE are backing an Asian oil-security initiative as Hormuz disruptions expose the risks of relying on a narrow set of supply routes.

Iran War Risk: Israel’s military chief, Eyal Zamir, warned that renewed fighting with Iran in the coming weeks could delay Israel’s October 27 election, according to a report. The Pentagon is preparing strike options, but President Donald Trump says the US will not attack before its November 3 midterms and claims talks are making progress. Saudi Arabia Under Attack: Yemen’s Houthis claimed strikes on Riyadh and other Saudi targets. Saudi authorities said interception debris damaged a kindergarten and medical complex; Kuwait condemned the attacks, while some flights to Riyadh were cancelled. Diplomacy and Energy: China urged Iran to keep ceasefire and peace talks moving as Pakistani negotiators arrived in Tehran. Meanwhile, attacks on shipping and falling traffic through the Strait of Hormuz pushed oil above $105 a barrel. Gaza: Rescuers say Israeli fire killed seven people in Gaza City.

Saudi Security: Explosions were reported at Riyadh airport, where flights were halted, as the Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted missiles fired toward Riyadh and Khamis Mushait. The cause of the blasts was not confirmed. Energy Shock: Brent crude climbed to about $105 a barrel amid attacks on shipping and fears of deeper disruption through the Strait of Hormuz, where vessel traffic has fallen to a two-month low. Regional Costs: Tanzania’s import bill rose $2.6 billion in seven months, with higher petroleum and freight costs linked to Hormuz disruption adding pressure on businesses and consumers. Trade Ties: The UAE and Thailand concluded negotiations on a trade and investment pact, aiming to lower barriers and expand market access. Diplomatic Rift: Israel downgraded Britain’s East Jerusalem consulate to a smaller “UK Mission,” with 20 diplomats set to leave as tensions between the two governments deepen.

Energy Routes: Iraq has formally asked Syria to serve as a crude-export route around the Strait of Hormuz, as Gulf tensions and Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure push oil above $100 a barrel and raise supply fears. Regional Economy: The World Bank forecasts Middle East output will shrink 2.1% in 2026, with Gulf oil exporters hit hardest by the Iran war. Business Ties: South Korea and Egypt are set to discuss trade, investment, infrastructure and supply chains at a summit in Seoul, seeking to deepen economic cooperation. Industry: Morocco is becoming a bigger player in global aerospace, with Airbus expanding local production and Safran planning to assemble 300 engines a year in the country.

Regional Economy: The World Bank expects the Middle East economy to contract 2.1% in 2026 as the Iran war hits growth, with Gulf oil exporters especially exposed. Oil executives warn supply disruptions could last years, and rebuilding depleted global inventories may take up to two years. Gulf Cooperation: Saudi Arabia’s energy minister urged deeper regional integration to strengthen supply chains and resilience, pointing to cooperation between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. Israel and Gaza: Israelis marked three years since the October 7 attack, which killed about 1,200 people and led to the capture of 251 hostages; Palestinians in Gaza continue to face the devastation of war. Health and Business: A new report projects 10–12% annual growth in Middle East precision medicine over the next five to seven years, while Kalyan Jewellers reported 12% revenue growth in its Middle East operations.

Middle East Economy: The World Bank warns the region’s output will shrink 2.1% in 2026, blaming the Iran-linked conflict for hitting oil exports, tourism, aviation and logistics, with GCC economies forecast to fall 4.3% while oil-importers stay more resilient. Shipping & Energy: Gulf oil flows are reported recovering to over 81% of pre-war levels as Hormuz risks persist, while the US says millions of barrels have moved through the strait in days. Gaza Politics: Israel denies Palestinian election commission teams entry to Gaza and East Jerusalem ahead of Nov. 28 legislative elections, raising fears the vote could be delayed or held unevenly. Yemen Conflict: New analysis says the Houthis have, for now, stopped further Yemeni government advances on the Red Sea coastal plain, allowing both sides to regroup. US–Qatar Access: Senator Chris Murphy says the Pentagon blocked him from visiting Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, calling it an effort to hide the war’s costs. Human Rights: Saudi Arabia’s death sentence for a Sri Lankan migrant worker over a Facebook post sparks growing anger and calls for an immediate reversal.

Middle East Diplomacy: UN chief Antonio Guterres praised Pakistan’s mediation in the US-Iran crisis, saying Islamabad helped deliver the June 17 MoU, a ceasefire, and a framework for future talks. Oman Economy: Oman’s Central Bank launched its first Research Symposium to strengthen economic research and policy planning under Oman Vision 2040. UAE Business & Skills: Canva brings its World Tour to Dubai on Oct. 26, offering free SME-focused sessions on content creation and practical AI use. Regional Energy Pressure: India is weighing an Aviation Turbine Fuel price stabilisation fund as West Asia tensions push up ATF costs and strain airline cash flows. Saudi Women’s Sports: Saudi Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud joined AWSN as an adviser, backing a push to expand women’s sports coverage in the Middle East. Gaza Update: Two people were killed in an Israeli strike in Gaza as demolitions continue. Cyber & Security: Iran reportedly launched a system encouraging citizens to report information about Iranians abroad, using Telegram-linked tools.

Middle East Energy Security: ASEAN ministers in Manila are weighing how to protect fuel supplies as the US-Iran war drags on, with the region importing more than half its crude from the Middle East and shipping risks pushing up costs for households and transport workers. Oil Markets: Oil prices slipped as Middle East crude exports rose above pre-war levels and G7 plans to release emergency diesel and crude eased supply fears, though analysts warn stockpiles are still “scarily thin.” Yemen Red Sea Front: Yemen’s pro-government forces, backed by Saudi air power, say they retook the port of Mocha and moved toward Bab-el-Mandeb, while the Houthis deny advances. US-Iran Pressure: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said US forces are ready to restart combat if Iran rejects a deal, warning of a blockade and strikes on infrastructure and energy. Qatar Tech & Skills: Qatar ranked 5th in MENA and 46th globally for AI readiness in Coursera’s AI-Human Skills Synergy Index, as it expands AI training via national programs. Qatar Semiconductors: imec appointed Dr. Aymen Adam Mohib as regional managing director of imec Qatar to deepen regional partnerships and grow the deep-tech ecosystem. UK Defence Debate: Conservatives unveiled a £10bn “Britannia Shield” air-defence plan, citing drone and missile threats seen in the Middle East.