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Gulf

Arab Summit in Bahrain: Gaza Ceasefire Prioritized

The preparatory meeting of Arab foreign ministers for the Arab Summit, chaired by Bahrain’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Abdullatif Al Zayani (image from the Arab League)
The preparatory meeting of Arab foreign ministers for the Arab Summit, chaired by Bahrain’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Abdullatif Al Zayani (image from the Arab League)
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Arab Summit in Bahrain: Gaza Ceasefire Prioritized

The preparatory meeting of Arab foreign ministers for the Arab Summit, chaired by Bahrain’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Abdullatif Al Zayani (image from the Arab League)
The preparatory meeting of Arab foreign ministers for the Arab Summit, chaired by Bahrain’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Abdullatif Al Zayani (image from the Arab League)

The Israeli war on Gaza will dominate the Arab Summit set to take place in Bahrain on Thursday, as Arab support for an international conference on the two-state solution gains traction.

Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit urged joint Arab action to stop the war and pave the way for a Palestinian state based on the two-state solution.

The dire situation in Gaza has cast a shadow over the Arab Foreign Ministers’ preparatory meeting for the Arab Summit in Bahrain on Tuesday.

Aboul Gheit told ministers that words fail to express the anger and sadness felt towards what is happening in Gaza, adding that the Israeli leaders’ thirst for revenge has led to appalling crimes, recognized as ethnic cleansing.

Aboul Gheit called the aggression a “shameful stain,” not just on Israel but on the world for allowing such atrocities.

Assistant Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ambassador Hossam Zaki, said the ministers agreed on all agenda items, mainly focusing on politics, with the Palestinian issue at the forefront due to the Israeli aggression.

Zaki said Arab states aren’t keen on discussing post-war plans for Gaza, focusing instead on a ceasefire for ending the conflict.

Aboul Gheit urged support for recognizing Palestine, pushing for an international conference involving all parties committed to the two-state solution.

He stressed that both Palestinians and Israelis can’t solve the issue alone and need ongoing international intervention.

He also highlighted the need for international intervention to protect Palestinians from genocide, stating that bilateral negotiations are no longer viable as Israel refuses to end the occupation and establish a Palestinian state.

Sources disclosed that Arab foreign ministers discussed aligning positions to present a unified Arab stance on the Gaza conflict and Palestinian statehood at the Arab summit. They also coordinated on summit documents and resolutions.

Arab foreign ministers met informally with Aboul Gheit before their preparatory session to discuss the agenda for the 33rd Arab Summit in Bahrain.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan emphasized Saudi Arabia’s support for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, continuous aid access, and a clear path towards a two-state solution for Palestine.

Aboul Gheit affirmed that the Arab gathering is in support of recognizing Palestine as part of a concrete plan leading to an international conference involving all parties committed to the two-state solution.

Following the Arab foreign ministers’ meeting on Tuesday, Zaki highlighted Arab consensus on Palestine spans various fronts, with substantial political support crucial for the cause’s integrity.

He dismissed notions of significant discord, asserting that while differing views on peace and Palestine exist, Arab political backing remains steadfast, evident in decisions at the Arab Summit in Bahrain.

On Gaza’s post-war phase, Zaki stated that Arab states won’t discuss it officially until hostilities cease to prevent harm to the cause. He emphasized the summit’s focus on halting Israeli aggression.

Zaki also mentioned extensive discussions among Arab foreign ministers regarding the Rafah incursion, indicating it will influence a robust Arab stance.

Arab nations back the proposal for an international conference to safeguard Palestinians and push for progress towards a two-state solution.

Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif Al Zayani and Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Ayman Safadi met on Monday to discuss Gaza’s situation and regional efforts to stop the conflict.

Both emphasized the need to halt military actions in Rafah and warned against Israel’s ongoing occupation of the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing, which blocks humanitarian aid.

They stressed implementing the two-state solution to end the occupation and meet Palestinian rights.

The agenda of the Arab Summit in Bahrain will cover Arab cooperation in politics, economics, social issues, culture, media, security, and collaboration with international and regional groups.

Besides Gaza, the summit will address crises like the war in Sudan, which also faces famine.

The summit will also tackle crises in Libya, Yemen, and Syria. On his part, Aboul Gheit stressed the need for ongoing Arab efforts to prevent these crises from being forgotten.

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Gulf

Kuwait Power, Water Desalination Plants Damaged by Iranian Attack

A drone view shows Kuwait City, in the aftermath of strikes by Israel and the US on Iran, in Kuwait, February 28, 2026. (Reuters)
A drone view shows Kuwait City, in the aftermath of strikes by Israel and the US on Iran, in Kuwait, February 28, 2026. (Reuters)
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Kuwait Power, Water Desalination Plants Damaged by Iranian Attack

A drone view shows Kuwait City, in the aftermath of strikes by Israel and the US on Iran, in Kuwait, February 28, 2026. (Reuters)
A drone view shows Kuwait City, in the aftermath of strikes by Israel and the US on Iran, in Kuwait, February 28, 2026. (Reuters)

Two Kuwaiti power and water desalination plants were damaged by a drone attack from Iran, the electricity and water ministry said Sunday.

The attack resulted in "significant material damage and the shutdown of two electricity generating units", the ministry said in a post on X, adding there were no deaths or injuries.

Earlier, the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation said a fire broke out in its Shuwaikh oil sector complex, which houses the oil ministry and KPC headquarters, after a drone attack, the Kuwaiti state news agency ‌reported early ‌on Sunday.

Kuwaiti state ‌media, ⁠citing the finance ⁠ministry, said an Iranian drone hit an office complex for government ministries, causing significant material damage but no casualties.

No injuries were ‌reported.

An Iranian drone attack had also caused "significant" damage to a government building in Kuwait City on Saturday evening, a finance ministry statement said, adding there were no reports of deaths or injuries. 

Staff from the several ministries housed in the complex would work remotely on Sunday and visits would be suspended, the statement said. 

The latest attacks come as the US-Israeli war on Iran, how in its sixth week, broadens, with Tehran striking Israel and Gulf Arab states hosting US military installations.

There was no official comment from Iran.

Gulf

UAE Condemns ‘Acts of Vandalism’ at Its Embassy in Damascus

The UAE Foreign Ministry building in Abu Dhabi. (WAM)
The UAE Foreign Ministry building in Abu Dhabi. (WAM)
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UAE Condemns ‘Acts of Vandalism’ at Its Embassy in Damascus

The UAE Foreign Ministry building in Abu Dhabi. (WAM)
The UAE Foreign Ministry building in Abu Dhabi. (WAM)

The United Arab Emirates on Saturday condemned what it described as "riots, acts of vandalism, and assaults" outside its embassy and the residence of its head of mission in Damascus.

In a statement, the UAE's foreign ministry called on Syria to uphold its obligations to secure the embassy and its staff, investigate the incident ‌and hold ‌the perpetrators to account.

Syria's foreign ministry said ‌in a statement on Friday evening that it took a "firm and unwavering ⁠stance" ⁠against any attack on or attempt to approach embassies and diplomatic missions.

Gulf

Iranian Attacks Target Energy Facilities in Kuwait, UAE

Mina al-Ahmadi refinery in Kuwait (KUNA) 
Mina al-Ahmadi refinery in Kuwait (KUNA) 
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Iranian Attacks Target Energy Facilities in Kuwait, UAE

Mina al-Ahmadi refinery in Kuwait (KUNA) 
Mina al-Ahmadi refinery in Kuwait (KUNA) 

Iranian attacks struck key energy infrastructure in Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates on Friday, prompting air defense responses across the Gulf and causing casualties and material damage, authorities said.

In Kuwait, drones targeted the Mina al-Ahmadi refinery as well as a power generation and water desalination plant. In Abu Dhabi, operations were suspended at the Habshan gas facilities after debris fell following a successful interception, officials said. The incident killed an Egyptian resident and injured four others from Egypt and Pakistan, and sparked two fires.

Emirates Global Aluminium said it shut down its Al Taweelah site — one of the world’s largest aluminum production complexes — after it sustained severe damage in what it described as Iranian missile and drone attacks.

The incidents come amid Gulf efforts to repel Iranian strikes targeting energy installations and vital infrastructure, which have caused injuries and limited material damage.

Saudi air defenses intercepted and destroyed 14 drones on Friday, according to defense ministry spokesman Major General Turki al-Maliki.

Kuwait

Kuwait’s defense ministry spokesman Colonel Saud al-Atwan said seven ballistic missiles, two cruise missiles and 26 hostile drones were detected in the country’s airspace over a 24-hour period.

Interior ministry spokesman Brigadier Nasser Bousleib said nine reports of falling debris were recorded in the same period, bringing the total since the start of the Iranian attacks to 649. Warning sirens were activated five times in 24 hours, for a total of 164 activations since the attacks began.

Kuwait Petroleum Corporation said the Mina al-Ahmadi refinery was hit by drones early Friday, causing fires in several operational units. Emergency and firefighting teams were deployed immediately and were working to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading. No casualties were reported, the company underlined.

It added that precautionary measures were taken to ensure worker safety and protect facilities, and that coordination was ongoing with environmental authorities to monitor air quality. No negative environmental impact had been recorded so far.

The electricity and water ministry said one of its power generation and water desalination plants sustained material damage, according to spokeswoman Fatima Hayat, adding that technical teams were working to maintain operations.

Meanwhile, National Guard spokesman Brigadier Jadaan Fadhel denied reports circulating on social media of a possible radiation leak, saying readings in the country’s airspace and territorial waters remained within normal levels. He told state news agency KUNA that monitoring systems were operating around the clock.

United Arab Emirates

The UAE said its air defenses intercepted 18 ballistic missiles, four cruise missiles and 47 drones launched from Iran on Friday, bringing the totals since the start of the attacks to 475 ballistic missiles, 23 cruise missiles and 2,085 drones.

The defense ministry said the attacks had killed two members of the armed forces and a Moroccan civilian contractor, as well as eight others of various nationalities.

A total of 203 people have been injured since the attacks began, with injuries ranging from minor to severe.

The Abu Dhabi Media Office said authorities dealt with debris falling at the Habshan gas facilities after a successful interception, prompting a temporary suspension of operations and a fire at the site.

It later said an Egyptian resident was killed during the evacuation, while four others — two Egyptians and two Pakistanis — were injured. Two fires broke out but were brought under control by emergency response teams. The office said the incident caused significant damage to facilities, with assessments ongoing.

In a separate incident, debris fell in the Ajban area, injuring six Nepalese residents and five Indians, with one Nepalese sustaining serious injuries.

Emirates Global Aluminium said its Al Taweelah complex in Khalifa Economic Zone Abu Dhabi (KEZAD) suffered severe damage, triggering a full emergency shutdown of operations, including the aluminum smelter, casting facilities, power plant, alumina refinery and recycling plant.

The company said restoring full primary aluminum production could take up to 12 months, depending on damage assessments, while some operations at the alumina refinery and recycling plant may resume earlier.

Bahrain

Bahrain’s National Communication Center said 16 drones targeting the country were intercepted and destroyed over 24 hours, bringing the total since the start of Iranian attacks to 188 missiles and 445 drones.

The Bahrain Defense Force said targeting civilian sites and private property with ballistic missiles and drones constituted a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and the UN Charter, warning the attacks posed a direct threat to regional peace and security.

Authorities urged residents to remain indoors except when necessary, avoid damaged areas and suspicious objects, refrain from filming military operations or debris sites, and rely on official sources for information.

The interior ministry said four Bahraini citizens sustained minor injuries and homes were damaged in the Sitra area due to falling debris from an intercepted Iranian drone. Civil defense and ambulance services were responding at the scene.

Qatar

Qatar’s defense ministry said the country was targeted by several Iranian drones, all of which were successfully intercepted.

The environment and climate change ministry said air quality remained within normal and safe limits and was being continuously monitored through a nationwide network.

In a post on platform X, the ministry advised precautionary measures during periods of increased fine particulate matter, including staying indoors — especially for vulnerable groups — keeping windows closed, wearing masks when outside and avoiding outdoor activities.