Gulf

Houthis to step up Red Sea strikes, use ‘submarine weapons’

By Jonathan Saul and Nayera Abdallah Houthis formalise ban on ships linked to Israel, US, Britain Houthi attacks show no sign of abating despite US, UK strikes Affected waters account…

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Vessel attacked by missiles southeast of Yemen’s Aden, UKMTO, Ambrey say

DUBAI, Feb 22 (Reuters) - Two missiles were fired at a vessel off the southeast coast of the Yemeni city of Aden on Thursday, causing a fire onboard, Britain's maritime…

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Qatar criticises Israel’s Netanyahu over pressure on Hamas to release hostages

Conflict mediator Qatar on Monday criticised comments from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in which it said he asked the Gulf state to pressure Hamas into freeing Israeli hostages, describing…

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UPDATED: US-owned ship reports missile attack off Yemen, sources say

Feb 19 (Reuters) - A Greece-flagged, U.S.-owned cargo ship reported two missile attacks on Monday in the Gulf of Aden and called for military assistance, Greek shipping ministry sources and…

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UPDATED: Yemen’s Houthis target cargo ship in Red Sea

DUBAI, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis said on Monday they had targeted a cargo ship in the Red Sea, the latest such strike since the start of the…

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Houthis say they fired at two ships in Red Sea, damaging both

Houthis say they struck two more vessels in Red Sea Nobody reported injured in either incident Greece confirms damage to Greek-owned Star Nasia UK-owned Morning Tide hit by UAV, now…

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Saudi Arabia to manufacture parts of Lockheed missile defence system

U.S. weapons maker Lockheed Martin has signed agreements for Saudi Arabian companies to manufacture parts of its missile defense system, as the U.S. continues to conduct military operations in the…

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Iran says US strikes are a ‘strategic mistake’

Iran has called US air strikes on Iraq and Syria a "strategic mistake" after 85 targets were hit across the region on Friday. The US has launched retaliatory strikes in…

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Iran won’t start a war but will respond to bullies, says president

Feb 2 (Reuters) - Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi said on Friday that his country would not start a war but that it would "respond strongly" to anyone who tried to…

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Saudi Arabia has not yet joined BRICS – Saudi official source

Saudi Arabia is still considering an invitation to become a member of the BRICS bloc of countries after being asked to join by the group last year, a Saudi official…

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Iran’s Guards pull officers from Syria after Israeli strikes

Iran pulls top officers from Syria after Israeli attacks-sources Tehran draws on allied Shi'ite militia to help preserve sway Top Iranian general among high-level casualties of strikes Iran avoids direct…

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US strikes multiple drones in Yemen

By Idrees Ali and Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON, (Reuters) - The United States struck up to 10 unmanned drones in Yemen that were preparing to launch, a U.S. official said late…

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India deploys unprecedented naval might near Red Sea to rein in piracy

India has deployed at least a dozen warships east of the Red Sea to provide security against pirates and has investigated more than 250 vessels as Western powers focus on…

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Yemen’s Houthis threaten more attacks on US, British warships

DUBAI, Jan 31 (Reuters) - Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi group said on Wednesday it would keep up attacks on U.S. and British warships in the Red Sea in what it called…

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Iran warns of decisive response to any type of attack

Iran's envoy to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani warned that Tehran would respond decisively to any attack on its territory, its interests, or Iranian nationals outside its borders, state…

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UPDATED: Ambrey says fire exchanged between carrier and skiff southeast of Oman’s Salalah

DUBAI, Jan 27 (Reuters) - British maritime security firm Ambrey said on Saturday a security team on board a bulk carrier exchanged fire with armed individuals on a Somali-style skiff…

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Houthi’s TV says U.S. and British airstrikes target Yemen port

CAIRO, Jan 27 (Reuters) - The Houthi's Al-Masira television said on Saturday that the U.S. and the UK launched two airstrikes that targeted the port of Ras Issa, Yemen's main…

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UPDATED: Crew battle blaze on tanker hit by missile in Gulf of Aden

Jan 27 (Reuters) - The tanker Marlin Luanda was on fire but no deaths or injuries were reported after the vessel was struck by a Houthi anti-ship missile in the…

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China presses Iran to rein in Houthi attacks in Red Sea, sources say

By Parisa Hafezi and Andrew Hayley Iran-backed Houthis attacking commercial ships in Red Sea Trading powerhouse China has called for attacks to stop Oil trade gives China leverage over Iran,…

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US, Iraq to initiate talks on end of US-led military coalition

By Timour Azhari and Phil Stewart BAGHDAD, (Reuters) - The United States and Iraq are set to initiate talks on the end of a U.S.-led international military coalition in Iraq…

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US Navy intercepts missiles in Red Sea while escorting Maersk ships

COPENHAGEN, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Maersk said explosions nearby forced two ships operated by its U.S. subsidiary and carrying U.S. military supplies to turn around when they were transiting the…

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Saudi Arabia prepares to open first alcohol store for diplomats

Saudi Arabia is preparing to open its first alcohol store in the capital Riyadh which will serve exclusively non-Muslim diplomats, according to a source familiar with the plans and a…

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Latest strikes on Yemen’s Houthis destroyed intended targets, UK says

U.S. and British forces carried out a new round of strikes in Yemen, targeting a Houthi underground storage site as well as missile and surveillance capabilities used by the Iran-aligned…

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US personnel suffer minor injuries in Iraq base attack: U.S. official

By Phil Stewart and Timour Azhari WASHINGTON/BAGHDAD, (Reuters) - U.S. personnel suffered minor injuries and a member of Iraq's security forces was wounded in an attack on Iraq's Ain al-Asad…

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Iran launches air defence drill amid rising regional tensions

Iran said on Friday that it successfully carried out an air defence drill using drones designed to intercept hostile targets in an area stretching from its southwestern to southeastern coasts,…

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US says Houthis launched missiles at tanker ship but no damage caused

By Kanishka Singh and Costas Pitas WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Iran-backed Houthi militia launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles at a U.S.-owned tanker ship late on Thursday that hit the water…

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Indian Navy rescues crew after attack on ship off coast of Yemen

Indian Navy says crew of vessel attacked in Gulf of Aden is safe Crisis cutting farm exports from Ukraine Poundland owner warns of potential impact on supplies By Krishn Kaushik,…

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US in new strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen

By Idrees Ali and Phil Stewart WASHINGTON, (Reuters) - The U.S. military said its forces conducted strikes on 14 Houthi missiles that were loaded to be fired from Yemen, in…

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Kuwait forms first government under new emir and prime minister

DUBAI, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Kuwait on Wednesday formed a government headed by Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Sabah al-Salem al-Sabah, the state news agency said, the country's first cabinet after…

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US attacks Houthi anti-ship missiles, vessel hit in Red Sea

Biden administration expected to relist Houthis as terrorist group France says did not take part in strikes to avoid regional escalation The White House confirms additional air strikes hit Houthis…

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Iran says Revolutionary Guards attack Israel’s ‘spy HQ’ in Iraq, vow more revenge

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they attacked the "spy headquarters" of Israel in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdistan region, state media reported late on Monday, while the elite force said they also struck…

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Red Sea attacks raise costs for coffee roasters

Attacks by Houthi militants in Yemen on ships in the Red Sea have led to soaring costs for European coffee roasters, though these are unlikely to be passed onto consumers…

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Lamborghini Urus Performante enters service with Dubai Police

The Lamborghini Dubai dealership continues its successful collaboration with Dubai Police, delivering an Urus Performante before the end of 2023, the year that marked its 60th anniversary. At a special…

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Iran: US can’t call for restraint while backing Israel’s war in Gaza

The United States cannot call for restraint while supporting Israel's war in Gaza, Iran's foreign minister said on Monday, while calling for a diplomatic solution to the war in the…

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Houthis vow to keep up Red Sea attacks after US-led strikes

By Aziz El Yaakoubi RIYADH, Jan 15 (Reuters) - The chief negotiator for Yemen's Houthis said on Monday the group's stance has not changed since U.S.-led air strikes on its…

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US says it shot down anti-ship cruise missile from Houthi-controlled areas

WASHINGTON, Jan 14 (Reuters) - U.S. fighter aircraft on Sunday shot down an anti-ship cruise missile fired from Houthi militant areas of Yemen toward a U.S. destroyer operating in the…

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Europe split over US, UK strikes on Houthis in Yemen

By Angelo Amante, John Irish, Inti Landauro and Nandita Bose ROME/PARIS/MADRID/ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE, (Reuters) - Italy, Spain and France stood out on Friday by not taking part in U.S.…

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UPDATED: US launches fresh air strike on Houthi target in Yemen

WASHINGTON/ADEN, Jan 13 (Reuters) - The United States carried out an additional strike against Yemen's Houthi forces on Friday, after President Joe Biden's administration vowed to protect shipping in the…

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Houthis mistakenly target tanker carrying Russian oil – Ambrey report

Houthi militants mistakenly targeted a tanker carrying Russian oil in a missile attack on Friday off Yemen, British maritime security firm Ambrey said. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO)…

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UPDATED: Russia requests UN Security Council meeting after U.S. and Britain strike Yemen

MOSCOW, Jan 12 (Reuters) - Russia on Friday scolded the United States and Britain for military strikes on Yemen which Moscow said escalated tensions across the Middle East and showed…

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Saudi Arabia launches new residency plans to draw foreign talent

(Reuters) - Saudi Arabia on Thursday launched new residency programs aimed at attracting skilled professionals and investment as the Gulf country forges ahead with its plan to pivot its economy…

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UPDATED: Iran seizes U.S. tanker in Gulf of Oman-Tasnim

DUBAI, Jan 11 (Reuters) - Iran has seized a U.S. crude oil tanker in the waters of Oman upon an Iranian judicial order, Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency said on…

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Iraq seeks quick exit of US forces but no deadline set, PM says

By Timour Azhari BAGHDAD, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Iraq wants a quick and orderly negotiated exit of U.S-led military forces from its soil but has not set a deadline, Prime…

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US, UK forces shoot down Houthi missiles, drones in Red Sea -US military

WASHINGTON, Jan 9 (Reuters) - U.S. and UK forces shot down 21 drones and missiles fired by Yemen-based Houthis on Tuesday into the Southern Red Sea towards international shipping lanes,…

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Iraq prepares to close down U.S-led coalition’s mission – PM statement

The Iraqi government is forming a committee to prepare the closing down of the U.S.-led international coalition's mission in the country, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's office said on Friday.Sudani's…

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Iran’s oil trade with China stalls as Tehran demands higher prices

China's oil trade with Iran has stalled as Tehran withholds shipments and demands higher prices from its top client, tightening cheap supply for the world's biggest crude importer, refinery and…

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Another warning to Houthis over Red Sea attacks should not be anticipated -US official

Another warning from the United States and its allies to Houthis launching attacks against shipping in the Red Sea should not be anticipated, a senior Biden administration official said. The…

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Germany calls Red Sea attacks unacceptable, assessing mission options

BERLIN, Jan 3 (Reuters) - Attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea are unacceptable and must stop, a spokesperson for the German foreign ministry said on Wednesday, adding that…

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Tension increases as Iranian warship enters Red Sea

Iran dispatched a naval frigate to the Red Sea amid an escalating standoff between Western nations and Tehran-backed militants that has seen maritime traffic attacked by drones, missiles and speedboats.…

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UPDATED: Blasts kill nearly 100 at slain commander Soleimani’s memorial; Iran vows revenge

No claim of responsibility as yet Iran vows to track down attackers Ceremony commemorated commander killed by U.S. Islamic State, other groups claimed past attacks By Parisa Hafezi DUBAI, Jan…

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Malta-flagged container ship reported seeing 3 explosions towards its port quarter off Yemen -Ambrey

CAIRO, (Reuters) - British maritime security firm Ambrey said that a Malta-flagged container ship reported seeing three explosions towards its port quarter, 15 miles (24 km) southwest of Yemen's Mocha.…

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UPDATED: Iran says it executes four ‘saboteurs’ linked to Israel’s Mossad

Dec 29 (Reuters) - Iran executed on Friday four people, including a woman, whom it accused of being "saboteurs" with links to Israel's Mossad intelligence service, the Mizan news agency…

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UAE’s Sharjah bans New Year’s Eve fireworks over Gaza war

DUBAI, Dec 27 (Reuters) - An emirate in the United Arab Emirates, one of few Arab states that has official ties with Israel, has banned New Year's Eve fireworks this…

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Yemen’s warring parties commit to ceasefire steps – U.N. special envoy

By Mohammed Ghobari ADEN, (Reuters) - The Saudi-backed Yemeni government and Iran-aligned Houthis have both committed to steps towards a ceasefire, the U.N. special envoy for Yemen said on Saturday.…

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US shoots down 4 drones launched from Houthi-controlled areas – CENTCOM

CAIRO (Reuters) - The United States shot down four drones headed towards a U.S. destroyer in the southern Red Sea and launched from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen on Saturday, U.S.…

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Iran threatens Mediterranean closure over Gaza

(Reuters) - An Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander said the Mediterranean Sea could be closed if the United States and its allies continued to commit "crimes" in Gaza, Iranian media reported…

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Pentagon says Iranian drone ‘attack’ hit chemical tanker near India

A drone launched from Iran struck a chemical tanker in the Indian ocean early on Saturday, the U.S. Department of Defense said. "The motor vessel CHEM PLUTO, a Liberia-flagged, Japanese-owned,…

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