Saudi Defenses Destroy Ballistic Missiles, Drones Fired at Riyadh, Eastern Region

Spokesperson of the Saudi Ministry of Defense Major General Turki Al-Malki. (SPA)
Spokesperson of the Saudi Ministry of Defense Major General Turki Al-Malki. (SPA)
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Saudi Defenses Destroy Ballistic Missiles, Drones Fired at Riyadh, Eastern Region

Spokesperson of the Saudi Ministry of Defense Major General Turki Al-Malki. (SPA)
Spokesperson of the Saudi Ministry of Defense Major General Turki Al-Malki. (SPA)

Spokesperson of the Saudi Ministry of Defense Major General Turki Al-Malki said on Thursday that the Kingdom’s defenses intercepted and downed 12 drones and a ballistic missile fired at the Eastern Region.

Late on Wednesday, defenses thwarted two drone attacks against a gas facility in the Eastern Region. No damage was reported.

Al-Malki said defenses also shot down four ballistic missiles launched toward Riyadh. Debris from one of the missiles fell near a refinery south of the capital.

Defenses also intercepted and destroyed six drones in the Eastern Region and one in the al-Kharj Governorate.



GCC Secretary-General Meets with Turkish Foreign Minister in Istanbul

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi
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GCC Secretary-General Meets with Turkish Foreign Minister in Istanbul

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi met on Friday with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye Hakan Fidan, on the sidelines of the 9th Istanbul Mediation Conference held under the theme "Partnerships and New Perspectives for Peace: Mediation in a Changing World."

The two sides reviewed GCC-Turkish relations and explored avenues to broaden cooperation across various fields, reflecting the growing partnership between the GCC and Türkiye to serve mutual interests, SPA reported.

Both officials expressed their shared anticipation for convening the seventh Joint Ministerial Meeting of the Strategic Dialogue between the GCC and Türkiye in the coming period, emphasizing its role in advancing joint initiatives and opening new horizons for cooperation.

The meeting also addressed the latest regional developments, with both sides exchanging views on efforts to de-escalate tensions and bolster regional security and stability.


UAE: Oil Spill from Tanker Affects Beaches in Umm Al Quwain

An image published by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment of one of the country's beaches. (UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment)
An image published by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment of one of the country's beaches. (UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment)
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UAE: Oil Spill from Tanker Affects Beaches in Umm Al Quwain

An image published by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment of one of the country's beaches. (UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment)
An image published by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment of one of the country's beaches. (UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment)

The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment said on Friday that its monitoring and environmental assessment systems had detected marine pollution caused by an oil leak from a tanker.

The spill had affected beaches in the emirate of Umm Al Quwain, the ministry said.

It said in a statement that the leak had caused odors reported by residents of Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain, adding that it posed no health concerns or risks to residents.

All beaches and coastal areas in Umm Al Quwain had been temporarily closed as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of the marine environment while survey operations were completed, added the ministry.

Specialist teams had begun coordinating with the relevant authorities to contain the pollution, cordon off affected areas and launch cleanup and remediation operations to limit its environmental impact, the statement added.


European Parliament Resolution Condemns Houthi Attacks, Urges EU Terrorist Listing

 A supporter of Yemen's Houthis carries his rifle during a rally in support of the group in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. (AP)
A supporter of Yemen's Houthis carries his rifle during a rally in support of the group in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. (AP)
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European Parliament Resolution Condemns Houthi Attacks, Urges EU Terrorist Listing

 A supporter of Yemen's Houthis carries his rifle during a rally in support of the group in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. (AP)
A supporter of Yemen's Houthis carries his rifle during a rally in support of the group in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, Oct. 9, 2026. (AP)

Members of the European Parliament have expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support for Yemen's legitimate government, reaffirming their commitment to the security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of both countries.

The position was set out in a resolution adopted on Thursday that strongly condemned Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, as well as the military escalation inside Yemen.

The members described the attacks as flagrant violations of international law and international humanitarian law. The resolution highlighted that the attacks have killed and displaced large numbers of Yemeni civilians and exacerbated the country's humanitarian crisis.

The resolution called on the Council of the European Union to designate the Houthi group, including its political and military wings, leadership, and military and security apparatus, as a terrorist organization under the EU list of terrorist organizations.

It also called for dismantling the group's funding channels and freezing its funds, economic resources, and the assets of entities facilitating its activities.

The members of Parliament urged the Houthis to immediately cease all hostilities inside and outside Yemen and abandon any ambitions to seize territory.

The resolution also strongly condemned Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia's energy infrastructure and commercial vessels in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

The resolution further called for strengthening security and defense cooperation between the EU and its Gulf partners.