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Yemen

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Yemen. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Sana'a

Head of State

President Rashad al-Alimi

Head of Government

Prime Minister Ahmad Awad bin Mubarak

Oil tanker trucks stand parked near an oil storage terminal in Karachi on Thursday as global energy markets face disruptions amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Photo: AFP

Iran

Why the Iran war marks a turning point for Gulf-Asia trade

The closure of the Middle East’s important straits – Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb – is forcing Gulf and Asian nations to explore other options.

15 Mar 2026 - 2:00PMvideocam

China trade

Strait of Hormuz transiting ships flash ‘China owner’ signals to evade blockade

13 Mar 2026 - 8:45PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran strikes on desalination plants threaten Arab states’ water supplies

9 Mar 2026 - 10:22AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war: France’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier heads to the Mediterranean

Rafale fighter jets, air-defence systems and airborne radar systems have also been deployed in the Middle East.

4 Mar 2026 - 7:02AMvideocam

French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle sails in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Toulon in November 2024. Photo: AFP

US, Israel war on Iran

Opinion | US war on Iran isn’t likely to go as planned

US war planners have overlooked viewing their adversary through realpolitik in the past. They now face a far more organised opponent.

3 Mar 2026 - 9:50PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Gulf states take the fight to Iran as missiles target oil, gas and trade

The UAE, Qatar and others had a plan for staying out of a US-Iran war. It relied on the assumption that Iran would leave them out of it too.

3 Mar 2026 - 3:53PMvideocam

Middle East

Trump pushes back on reports of Iran war risks as clock ticks

US president dismisses reported concerns of Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine, insisting any conflict would be ‘easily won’.

24 Feb 2026 - 3:29PM

F/A-18F Super Hornets prepare to launch from the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea. Photo: US Navy via AFP

Middle East

UAE-Saudi rift over security threats push Arab mediators to act

Bahrain and Egypt are attempting to mend ties between the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, after a public falling out in December.

14 Feb 2026 - 9:22PM

UAE

‘Surpassing Hong Kong’: UAE challenges Singapore for the global trade crown

With non-oil trade nearly doubling, analysts say the UAE has secured a first-mover advantage that leaves regional rivals trailing behind.

14 Feb 2026 - 2:00PM

US-Iran tensions

The US dropped proposal of Iran regime change. Could a nuclear deal be next?

Both sides appear amenable to a deal limiting some of Iran’s nuclear enrichment activities after last week’s diplomatic re-establishment.

12 Feb 2026 - 5:16PMvideocam

Women march with a sign depicting US President Donald Trump with bloodied hands in Tehran on Wednesday during a rally marking the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic revolution. Photo: AFP

India

Why India’s focus on Middle East is on trade despite defence ties with UAE

A potential defence partnership agreement between India and the UAE has fuelled speculation of more rival blocs emerging in the region.

26 Jan 2026 - 8:28PMvideocam

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (left) welcoming Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates, at New Delhi airport on January 19. Photo: EPA

Saudi Arabia

‘Anything can happen’: Saudi-UAE rift risks tearing Middle East apart

The Gulf neighbours have turned from friends to foes, fighting proxy wars across the region and forcing global powers to pick a side.

25 Jan 2026 - 4:00PM

Middle East

Yemen’s leaders meet in Saudi Arabia after defeat of UAE-backed group

Saudi Arabia accused the UAE of smuggling an opposing leader to Abu Dhabi through Somalia, after the Saudi-backed government charged him with treason.

18 Jan 2026 - 11:53PM

Japan

Japan’s next-generation fighter jet project gets boost as European rival stalls

Germany, France and Spain have put their project on hold, prompting speculation that some may turn to the Japan-UK-Italy programme.

16 Jan 2026 - 9:37AM

Delegates look at the GCAP sixth-generation fighter jet concept design at the Farnborough International Airshow 2024. Photo: AFP

Saudi Arabia

US allies Saudi Arabia, UAE risk a split in Middle East over competing visions

A ‘new order’ is emerging as Abu Dhabi-backed separatist allies clash with pro-Riyadh governments in the region.

8 Jan 2026 - 5:21PM

Southern Transitional Council security personnel guard a checkpoint in Aden, Yemen, on Monday. Photo: Reuters

US-Venezuela conflict

Trump team praises US media for keeping its Venezuela raid plan secret

Marco Rubio says a ‘number of media outlets’ held leaks before the US intervention that snatched President Nicolas Maduro.

6 Jan 2026 - 6:16PMvideocam

Saudi Arabia

Pro-Saudi forces regain province from separatists: Yemen presidential council

Rashad al-Alimi said forces had successfully retaken positions in the resource-rich Hadramout province, which borders Saudi Arabia.

4 Jan 2026 - 6:44AM

Middle East

Yemen’s separatists announce constitution, UAE withdraws all its troops

The proposed constitution for an independent nation in the south comes as the conflict in Yemen pits Saudi Arabia against the UAE.

3 Jan 2026 - 3:07PM

A video claiming to show Saudi airstrikes targeting Southern Transitional Council positions in Sayoun, Yemen. Photo: UGC/Reuters

Middle East

7 dead as Saudi jets strike UAE-backed forces in ‘peaceful’ Yemen operation

Separatists report 7 air strikes minutes after pro-Saudi forces announced a ‘peaceful’ bid to retake camps, accusing Riyadh of deception.

2 Jan 2026 - 9:33PM

Middle East

Saudi-UAE rivalry explodes into view after strike in war-torn Yemen

Gulf powers Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are at odds over rival factions and a deepening struggle for regional pre-eminence.

2 Jan 2026 - 2:09PM

Middle East

UAE to withdraw forces from Yemen after Saudi strike and ultimatum

Decision to withdraw follows a Saudi strike on a UAE-linked weapons shipment for Yemen separatists.

31 Dec 2025 - 12:19PM

A video screengrab show a person gesture toward smoke after a Saudi-led airstrike on Tuesday targeting UAE-backed separatists in Mukalla, Yemen. Photo: Aden al-Mustakillah TV via Reuters

Middle East

Saudi Arabia bombs Yemen port over weapons shipment and warns UAE

Riyadh targets weaponry in Mukalla as tensions between Gulf allies strain over separatist advances in Yemen.

30 Dec 2025 - 9:11PM

Damaged military vehicles, reportedly sent by the United Arab Emirates to support Southern Transitional Council separatist forces, following an air strike carried out by the Saudi-led coalition in the port of Mukalla, southern Yemen. Photo: AFP

Middle East

Iran and Gaza plan to top agenda for Netanyahu-Trump meeting

The Israeli prime minister is set to visit Washington to discuss the next phase of Trump’s Gaza plan with his key US ally.

23 Dec 2025 - 1:18PM

US Navy

Investigations reveal combat stress a key factor in costly US Navy mishaps

Reports show mission against Yemen’s Houthis took a toll on the US Navy, highlighting a friendly fire incident, loss of three jets and a ship collision.

5 Dec 2025 - 3:22PM

China trade

Explainer | The return of Red Sea shipping: 3 scenarios for Chinese trade

Houthi rebels have signalled a halt in attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, allowing a possible end to costly detours.

5 Dec 2025 - 1:04AMvideocam

A container ship crosses the Suez Canal towards the Red Sea in 2023. Cargo ships have largely avoided the area in recent years due to attacks by Houthi rebel groups. Photo: EPA-EFE

Middle East

Iraq removes Hezbollah and Houthis from asset-freeze list after ‘mistake’

Iraqi PM orders accountability for the error over list meant for Islamic State/al-Qaeda only. Reversal is blow to US efforts curbing Iran.

5 Dec 2025 - 4:58AM

Houthi fighters participate in a rally marking the second anniversary of the attacks carried by Hamas against Israel, in Sana’a, Yemen in October. Photo: EPA

United States

Hegseth’s Signal use posed risk to US forces, Pentagon review finds

White House ‘stands by’ Pentagon chief Hegseth, who is also under intensifying scrutiny over US strikes in the Caribbean.

4 Dec 2025 - 6:37PMvideocam

United States

US pauses all immigration applications from 19 countries

The pause applies to people from nations that were already subjected to a partial travel ban in June.

3 Dec 2025 - 10:16AM

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Yemen

Why the Iran war marks a turning point for Gulf-Asia trade

The closure of the Middle East’s important straits – Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb – is forcing Gulf and Asian nations to explore other options.

Strait of Hormuz transiting ships flash ‘China owner’ signals to evade blockade

Iran strikes on desalination plants threaten Arab states’ water supplies

Iran war: France’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier heads to the Mediterranean

Rafale fighter jets, air-defence systems and airborne radar systems have also been deployed in the Middle East.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | US war on Iran isn’t likely to go as planned

US war planners have overlooked viewing their adversary through realpolitik in the past. They now face a far more organised opponent.

Gulf states take the fight to Iran as missiles target oil, gas and trade

The UAE, Qatar and others had a plan for staying out of a US-Iran war. It relied on the assumption that Iran would leave them out of it too.

Trump pushes back on reports of Iran war risks as clock ticks

US president dismisses reported concerns of Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine, insisting any conflict would be ‘easily won’.

UAE-Saudi rift over security threats push Arab mediators to act

Bahrain and Egypt are attempting to mend ties between the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, after a public falling out in December.

‘Surpassing Hong Kong’: UAE challenges Singapore for the global trade crown

With non-oil trade nearly doubling, analysts say the UAE has secured a first-mover advantage that leaves regional rivals trailing behind.

The US dropped proposal of Iran regime change. Could a nuclear deal be next?

Both sides appear amenable to a deal limiting some of Iran’s nuclear enrichment activities after last week’s diplomatic re-establishment.

Why India’s focus on Middle East is on trade despite defence ties with UAE

A potential defence partnership agreement between India and the UAE has fuelled speculation of more rival blocs emerging in the region.

‘Anything can happen’: Saudi-UAE rift risks tearing Middle East apart

The Gulf neighbours have turned from friends to foes, fighting proxy wars across the region and forcing global powers to pick a side.

Yemen’s leaders meet in Saudi Arabia after defeat of UAE-backed group

Saudi Arabia accused the UAE of smuggling an opposing leader to Abu Dhabi through Somalia, after the Saudi-backed government charged him with treason.

Japan’s next-generation fighter jet project gets boost as European rival stalls

Germany, France and Spain have put their project on hold, prompting speculation that some may turn to the Japan-UK-Italy programme.

US allies Saudi Arabia, UAE risk a split in Middle East over competing visions

A ‘new order’ is emerging as Abu Dhabi-backed separatist allies clash with pro-Riyadh governments in the region.

Trump team praises US media for keeping its Venezuela raid plan secret

Marco Rubio says a ‘number of media outlets’ held leaks before the US intervention that snatched President Nicolas Maduro.

Pro-Saudi forces regain province from separatists: Yemen presidential council

Rashad al-Alimi said forces had successfully retaken positions in the resource-rich Hadramout province, which borders Saudi Arabia.

Yemen’s separatists announce constitution, UAE withdraws all its troops

The proposed constitution for an independent nation in the south comes as the conflict in Yemen pits Saudi Arabia against the UAE.

7 dead as Saudi jets strike UAE-backed forces in ‘peaceful’ Yemen operation

Separatists report 7 air strikes minutes after pro-Saudi forces announced a ‘peaceful’ bid to retake camps, accusing Riyadh of deception.

Saudi-UAE rivalry explodes into view after strike in war-torn Yemen

Gulf powers Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are at odds over rival factions and a deepening struggle for regional pre-eminence.

UAE to withdraw forces from Yemen after Saudi strike and ultimatum

Decision to withdraw follows a Saudi strike on a UAE-linked weapons shipment for Yemen separatists.

Saudi Arabia bombs Yemen port over weapons shipment and warns UAE

Riyadh targets weaponry in Mukalla as tensions between Gulf allies strain over separatist advances in Yemen.

Iran and Gaza plan to top agenda for Netanyahu-Trump meeting

The Israeli prime minister is set to visit Washington to discuss the next phase of Trump’s Gaza plan with his key US ally.

Investigations reveal combat stress a key factor in costly US Navy mishaps

Reports show mission against Yemen’s Houthis took a toll on the US Navy, highlighting a friendly fire incident, loss of three jets and a ship collision.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Explainer | The return of Red Sea shipping: 3 scenarios for Chinese trade

Houthi rebels have signalled a halt in attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, allowing a possible end to costly detours.

Iraq removes Hezbollah and Houthis from asset-freeze list after ‘mistake’

Iraqi PM orders accountability for the error over list meant for Islamic State/al-Qaeda only. Reversal is blow to US efforts curbing Iran.

Hegseth’s Signal use posed risk to US forces, Pentagon review finds

White House ‘stands by’ Pentagon chief Hegseth, who is also under intensifying scrutiny over US strikes in the Caribbean.

US pauses all immigration applications from 19 countries

The pause applies to people from nations that were already subjected to a partial travel ban in June.

Opinion | US war on Iran isn’t likely to go as planned

Explainer | The return of Red Sea shipping: 3 scenarios for Chinese trade