Saudi-Led Coalition Thwarts Overnight Houthi Attacks; Dammam Airport Death Toll Rises

The death toll from an attack on Saudi Arabia's Dammam airport has risen to two. The Houthi group has also claimed responsibility for launching attacks targeting the Saudi Defence Ministry and an Aramco site. Four drones were intercepted in Riyadh and Madinah. Saudi Aramco has instructed its staff to evacuate its Dhahran headquarters.

Amidst these escalating tensions, the IMF forecasts a 4.8% contraction for Gulf economies, attributing the downturn to the impact of the Iran war on exports. In response to the volatile situation, the State Department has issued a departure order for non-emergency US workers and their families stationed in Saudi Arabia.

Further complicating regional dynamics, reports suggest the US and Israel are planning new strikes on Iran following the midterm elections. Meanwhile, a viral report of ship damage has been falsely linked to an Iranian attack.

In related developments, Saudi forces have intercepted vessels carrying Houthi weapons. President Sheikh Mohamed met with the Saudi Defence Minister, and El Sisi has vowed to defend Saudi Arabia against ongoing attacks. The US military destroyed an Iran-linked dhow in the Gulf of Oman.

Questions are being raised about Britain's seriousness in addressing the Iranian threat. In Yemen, hospitals in Taiz are facing critical shortages as the conflict intensifies, and pilgrims in Saudi Arabia have been caught in the crossfire of Houthi strikes.