Arab Coalition Suspends Military Operations in Yemen to Ensure Success of Consultations

Coalition spokesman Brigadier General Turki al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Coalition spokesman Brigadier General Turki al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Arab Coalition Suspends Military Operations in Yemen to Ensure Success of Consultations

Coalition spokesman Brigadier General Turki al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Coalition spokesman Brigadier General Turki al-Malki. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Joint Forces Command of the Saudi-led Arab coalition announced on Tuesday it was suspending military operations in Yemen, starting Wednesday morning, to ensure the success of the intra-Yemeni consultations that will kick off in Riyadh.

Dr. Nayef Al-Hajraf, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which is sponsoring the meetings, appealed for a ceasefire on Tuesday.

He called for a halt in operations so that a positive environment can prevail over the talks during the holy month of Ramadan, which begins in early April.

Arab coalition spokesman Turki Al-Malki said the suspension aims to support efforts to reach a comprehensive and sustainable political solution to the crisis in Yemen.

He added that the coalition forces will commit to the ceasefire and take the necessary steps to ensure it is upheld.

He stressed that the coalition stands by the Yemeni people and their aspirations to build a state and restore security and peace.

The consultations will kick off at the GCC headquarters in Riyadh on Wednesday and are set to run through April 7.



GCC Secretary-General Condemns Iranian Attacks on UAE Tankers and Commercial Ships

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi
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GCC Secretary-General Condemns Iranian Attacks on UAE Tankers and Commercial Ships

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Albudaiwi strongly condemned the repeated Iranian attacks on ADNOC tankers belonging to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as well as commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

He underscored that such deliberate and brutal attacks constitute an unacceptable escalation and a grave violation of the security and safety of maritime navigation.

The GCC Secretary-General stressed the urgent need for Iran to immediately cease all hostile actions that threaten regional and international security and stability. He also called on the international community to exert pressure on Iran to end these hostilities and uphold the safety and freedom of maritime navigation.

He concluded his statement by reiterating the GCC's full and unwavering solidarity with the UAE, standing by its side and supporting all measures it takes to protect its security, territorial sovereignty, and interests.


Oil Spill Affects 12 km of Oman Coast, Masirah Unaffected

Aerial view of oil spilling from the oil tanker Caroline Bezengi into the water, off Al-Qibliyyah island, Hallaniyat Group Of Islands, Oman, August 13, 2026, in this still image taken from a handout video. (Reuters)
Aerial view of oil spilling from the oil tanker Caroline Bezengi into the water, off Al-Qibliyyah island, Hallaniyat Group Of Islands, Oman, August 13, 2026, in this still image taken from a handout video. (Reuters)
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Oil Spill Affects 12 km of Oman Coast, Masirah Unaffected

Aerial view of oil spilling from the oil tanker Caroline Bezengi into the water, off Al-Qibliyyah island, Hallaniyat Group Of Islands, Oman, August 13, 2026, in this still image taken from a handout video. (Reuters)
Aerial view of oil spilling from the oil tanker Caroline Bezengi into the water, off Al-Qibliyyah island, Hallaniyat Group Of Islands, Oman, August 13, 2026, in this still image taken from a handout video. (Reuters)

Oil pollution is affecting about 12 kilometres (7.46 miles) of coastline near Oman's Ras Madraka, while Masirah Island remains unaffected, state news agency ONA said on Saturday after efforts to tackle a spill from a leaking tanker have made progress.

Oil began reaching Oman's coast on Wednesday after spreading at sea for weeks, Reuters reported.

The Environment Authority said response operations were under way and the offshore slick was moving towards open waters.


ADNOC Vessel Attacked Again in Strait of Hormuz

FILE PHOTO: Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 10, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 10, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
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ADNOC Vessel Attacked Again in Strait of Hormuz

FILE PHOTO: Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 10, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, August 10, 2026. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo

A tanker owned by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) was attacked while transiting through the Strait of Hormuz, Emirati state-run WAM news agency said Saturday.

The attack happened Friday evening, and there were no injuries, the agency reported.

This is the third such attack on vessels operated by ADNOC in the critical waterway in the last week.

The UAE has previously accused Iran of the attacks.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said that a bulk carrier was struck by an unknown projectile that hit the hull on Friday. It was not immediately clear if it was the ADNOC vessel.

Shipping has been disrupted and the strait has been virtually closed since the Iran war started on Feb, 28.