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First Makkah Route Initiative Flight Departs Bangladesh

This year marks the fifth implementation of the Makkah Route Initiative in Bangladesh. (SPA)
This year marks the fifth implementation of the Makkah Route Initiative in Bangladesh. (SPA)
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First Makkah Route Initiative Flight Departs Bangladesh

This year marks the fifth implementation of the Makkah Route Initiative in Bangladesh. (SPA)
This year marks the fifth implementation of the Makkah Route Initiative in Bangladesh. (SPA)

The first flight carrying beneficiaries of the Makkah Route Initiative departed Bangladesh to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

This year marks the fifth implementation of the Makkah Route Initiative in Bangladesh.

The initiative aims to provide high-quality services to pilgrims from the beneficiary countries. It entails completing all necessary travel procedures in the pilgrims' home countries, such as issuing electronic visas, ensuring that pilgrims have a clean bill of health, and finalizing passport procedures at the departure airport.

Additionally, luggage is coded and sorted according to the pilgrims' transportation and accommodation arrangements in the Kingdom.

Upon arrival, pilgrims are offered transportation to their places of residence in Makkah and Madinah, and their luggage is delivered to their accommodations.

The Makkah Route Initiative is one of the Saudi Ministry of Interior's programs, implemented in cooperation with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Health, Hajj, and Umrah, as well as other government entities.

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Gulf

Dubai Airport Gradually Resumes Flights after Drone Fire

A smoke plume rises from a fire at Dubai International Airport in Dubai on March 16, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
A smoke plume rises from a fire at Dubai International Airport in Dubai on March 16, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
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Dubai Airport Gradually Resumes Flights after Drone Fire

A smoke plume rises from a fire at Dubai International Airport in Dubai on March 16, 2026. (Photo by AFP)
A smoke plume rises from a fire at Dubai International Airport in Dubai on March 16, 2026. (Photo by AFP)

Officials said Monday that Dubai International Airport has gradually resumed some flights after a "drone-related incident" sparked a fuel tank fire, forcing a temporary suspension.

Dubai Civil Aviation Authority announced flights are operating to selected destinations, according to the Dubai Media Office.

Emirates airline said it expected to operate a "limited schedule" after 10:00 am Dubai time (0600 GMT) and that some flights had been cancelled.

It had earlier told passengers not to come to the airport and said it was working with authorities "to assess the situation and support the safe resumption of operations when possible.”

In Abu Dhabi, a Palestinian civilian was killed on the outskirts of the Emirati capital when a missile hit their car on Monday, authorities said.

"Authorities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi responded to an incident in the Al Bahia area involving a missile strike on a civilian vehicle, which resulted in the death of one Palestinian national," the Abu Dhabi Media Office said in a statement.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia Becomes Region’s Key Transit Hub as War Disrupts Gulf Airspace

Qatar Airways announces the continued temporary suspension of its flights as airspace closures persist (dpa). 
Qatar Airways announces the continued temporary suspension of its flights as airspace closures persist (dpa). 
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Saudi Arabia Becomes Region’s Key Transit Hub as War Disrupts Gulf Airspace

Qatar Airways announces the continued temporary suspension of its flights as airspace closures persist (dpa). 
Qatar Airways announces the continued temporary suspension of its flights as airspace closures persist (dpa). 

As the war between Iran on one side and the United States and Israel on the other enters its third week, mounting military tensions and disruptions to regional air and maritime routes have pushed Saudi Arabia to the forefront as a critical transit hub.

The Kingdom has become a vital artery for travel and logistics across the Gulf and parts of the Arab world after allowing several Gulf carriers to use its airports and airspace to facilitate incoming and outgoing flights.

Iraq expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia for facilitating the transit and reception of Iraqi citizens through land and air crossings after Iraqi Airways was permitted to operate flights through Arar Airport in northern Saudi Arabia.

Saudi airports have recorded a noticeable surge in air traffic in recent days as airlines rerouted flights to avoid areas of conflict. On Sunday, Bahrain’s Gulf Air announced it was expanding operations through King Fahd International Airport in Dammam. Earlier, Kuwait’s Jazeera Airways said it would operate through Al-Qaisumah Airport in Hafar Al-Batin in the Kingdom’s Eastern Province.

Meanwhile, air defense systems across Gulf states have intercepted dozens of Iranian missile and drone attacks targeting civilian sites and private property, actions officials say violate international humanitarian law and the United Nations Charter.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense spokesperson, Major General Turki Al-Maliki, said air defenses intercepted and destroyed six ballistic missiles and 36 drones targeting Riyadh, the Eastern Province, Al-Kharj and the Empty Quarter within the past 24 hours.

The projectiles were reportedly headed toward the Shaybah oil field in southeastern Saudi Arabia.

Kuwait

Kuwait’s General Directorate of Civil Aviation said Kuwait International Airport was targeted by several drones that struck the airport’s radar system. Authorities said no casualties were reported and that emergency procedures activated since the start of the crisis were implemented in full coordination with relevant agencies.

The Kuwaiti National Guard said its forces shot down five drones in areas under its protection during the same period.

Bahrain

Bahrain’s Defense Force said its air defense systems have intercepted and destroyed 125 missiles and 211 drones since the start of the Iranian attacks.

Separately, Bahrain’s Interior Ministry announced the arrest of five individuals and identified a sixth suspect who fled the country. Authorities said the suspects were involved in gathering and transmitting sensitive information to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps through operatives in Iran and recruiting individuals for terrorist plots targeting Bahrain.

Gulf Air also confirmed it would temporarily expand operations through King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, allowing passengers to book flights through its usual commercial channels. The airline had already operated several repatriation and limited flights through Dammam in recent days to maintain air connectivity while Bahrain’s airspace remains temporarily closed.

United Arab Emirates

The UAE Ministry of Defense said its forces intercepted four ballistic missiles and six drones launched from Iran, adding that the country remains on high alert to confront any threats.

Since the start of the attacks, UAE air defenses have intercepted 298 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles and 1,606 drones, according to the ministry. Six people of various nationalities have been killed.

Authorities also said a fire that broke out at an oil facility in Al-Ruwais in Abu Dhabi after a drone strike last week had been fully contained.

UAE Attorney General Hamad Saif Al-Shamsi ordered the arrest of 25 individuals of various nationalities accused of spreading misleading digital content online that could undermine public security and stability.

Qatar

In Doha, Qatari air defenses said they repelled new Iranian drone attacks. Official figures indicate around 170 missile strikes and 78 drone attacks have been recorded, in addition to an attack by two fighter jets.

Qatar’s Ministry of Defense said Saturday that it intercepted four ballistic missiles and several drones launched from Iran.

Qatar Airways confirmed it will continue temporary suspending flights while the country’s airspace remains closed.

During a visit to the Abu Samra border crossing with Saudi Arabia, Qatar’s Minister of Municipality described the crossing as a vital gateway for goods entering the country and a key pillar for ensuring the steady flow of supplies under all circumstances.

 

Gulf

Joint Gulf-UK Statement Condemns Iran’s Attacks and Threats

The Foreign Ministers of the GCC and the UK held an extraordinary meeting via videoconference last Thursday. Photo: Saudi Foreign Ministry
The Foreign Ministers of the GCC and the UK held an extraordinary meeting via videoconference last Thursday. Photo: Saudi Foreign Ministry
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Joint Gulf-UK Statement Condemns Iran’s Attacks and Threats

The Foreign Ministers of the GCC and the UK held an extraordinary meeting via videoconference last Thursday. Photo: Saudi Foreign Ministry
The Foreign Ministers of the GCC and the UK held an extraordinary meeting via videoconference last Thursday. Photo: Saudi Foreign Ministry

The Gulf Cooperation Council and the United Kingdom have stressed that the security of the Gulf region are fundamental pillars of the global economy’s stability, rejecting threats to close the Strait of Hormuz or threaten maritime security in the Bab el-Mandeb.

Their stance came in a joint statement after the Foreign Ministers of the GCC and the UK held an extraordinary meeting via videoconference last Thursday “to discuss the escalation in the Middle East and the blatant aggression by Iran and its regional proxies against the GCC countries and Jordan.”

The joint statement reaffirmed the importance of safeguarding regional air space, maritime routes, and freedom of navigation, noting that UN Security Council Resolution 2817 that was adopted last week “condemned any Iranian actions or threats aimed at closing, obstructing, or otherwise interfering with international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz or threatening maritime security in the Bab el-Mandeb.”

“The Ministers stressed that the security and stability of the Gulf region are fundamental pillars of the stability of the global economy, intrinsically linked to UK and global security,” the statement that was issued on Sunday added.

The Ministers welcomed the adoption of Resolution 2817 that condemned in the strongest terms the egregious attacks carried out by Iran on GCC countries and Jordan, considering them a violation of international law and a serious threat to international peace and security.

They noted that the Resolution also condemned Iran’s targeting of residential areas and civilian infrastructure.

The statement demanded that Iran immediately cease all attacks on the GCC States and Jordan and unconditionally stop any provocations or threats to neighboring states, including the use of proxies across the region.

The Ministers reiterated their commitment to regional stability and called for the protection of civilians and full respect of international law, international humanitarian law and the obligations on UN Member States to abide by the principles of the UN Charter.

They recalled that they consistently urged Iran to curb its nuclear program and ballistic missile program, and refrain from destabilizing activities across the region, including the use of proxies and meddling in the local affairs of states.

The Ministers “recalled the inherent right of the GCC countries, in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter, to defend themselves, individually and collectively, against the armed attacks of Iran, as recognized in UN Security Council resolution 2817.”

“They affirmed that the GCC states have the right to take all necessary measures to defend their security and stability and protect their territories, citizens and residents” and recalled the Security Council’s responsibility in maintaining international peace and security.

According to the statement, the Ministers “agreed to undertake joint diplomatic efforts to bring about a lasting solution to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, to cease development and proliferation of ballistic missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and any technologies that threaten the security of the region and beyond, and to refrain from destabilizing activities in the region and beyond.”