(February 4, 2026)
This study introduces an air-to-H2 system that employs multilayer hygroscopic hydrogen evolution (HHE) nanofiber membranes (NFMs) for efficient green H2 production, with clean water generated as a byproduct (Fig. 1a).
Archiv: Saudi Arabien / Saudi Arabia
Israel’s Ben-Gvir blasts Netanyahu over reported US-backed plan to form government without him
In a post on the US social media platform X, Ben-Gvir said Netanyahu had “promised the US administration that, following the election, he would form a unity government with Gadi Eisenkot — and without Ben-Gvir.”
His remarks came after newspaper Israel Hayom reported that US President Donald Trump is pushing for a unity government involving Netanyahu and his main challenger Eisenkot, with the Israeli premier reportedly signaling in closed-door talks that he would be willing to abandon his far-right allies to advance the Abraham Accords to normalize ties with Arab countries, including with Saudi Arabia.
Trump orders diplomats to leave embassies in Middle East over fears US could join strikes on Houthis
The State Department has ordered some diplomats and family members to depart from its missions in Saudi Arabia and is drawing up plans for further withdrawals from other embassies. Reports also said the Pentagon was pulling American troops from bases in the region.
Saudi Arabia spends billions on its military. Why can‘t it stop deadly attacks by Iran‘s Houthi allies?
„No country can ever have a 100% interception rating, that just doesn‘t really exist,“ Elizabeth Dent, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, told CBS News, but that „was a hell of a one to miss.“
Saudi Arabia spent $83 billion on defense last year, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute — far more than any other country in the Middle East, including Israel.
So why has the kingdom struggled to stop the Houthi barrage?
Beteiligung der Marine an EUNAVFOR Aspides im Roten Meer soll fortgeführt werden
(October 9, 2026)
Am 8. Oktober 2026 haben die parlamentarischen Beratungen über die Fortsetzung der Beteiligung bewaffneter deutscher Streitkräfte an der von der Europäischen Union geführten Operation European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Aspides begonnen.
Daten und Fakten
– Die personelle Obergrenze soll unverändert bis zu 350 Soldatinnen und Soldaten betragen.
– Das Mandat soll bis zum 31. Oktober 2027 verlängert werden.
– EUNAVFOR Aspides („Schilde“) ist eine Operation der Europäischen Union. Der Einsatz wurde am 8. Februar 2024 von der EU beschlossen. Die Bundesregierung sprach sich für eine deutsche Beteiligung am 16. Februar 2024 aus und das Parlament gab am 23. Februar 2024 grünes Licht.
– Der deutsche Beitrag zum Einsatz umfasst derzeit Stabspersonal im Hauptquartier im griechischen Larissa, sowie auf dem Führungsschiff der Operation. Darüber hinaus erfolgen regelmäßige Einsatzflüge zur Bereitstellung luftgestützter Seeraumüberwachung und die grundsätzliche Möglichkeit zur Beteiligung mit seegehenden Einheiten.
(…)
Einsatzgebiet
Das Einsatzgebiet von EUNAVFOR Aspides umfasst die internationalen Gewässer im Roten Meer, im Golf von Aden, im Arabischen Meer, im Golf von Oman und im Persischen Golf. Im Bereich der Straße von Hormus gibt es allerdings ein gesondert ausgewiesenes Einsatzgebiet mit besonderen Regelungen. Dort gibt es für Aspides derzeit keine Befugnisse für das Minenräumen oder den Schutz von Schiffen.
Netanyahu denounces Riyadh attack, calls for a region „united against threats“
„Terrorism targets innocent people and seeks to spread fear and instability. It must be confronted with resolve,“ said Netanyahu in a statement posted to X. „Israel looks forward to a strong Middle East—one that stands united against threats, protects its people, and builds a future of security, cooperation, and prosperity for all the peoples of our region.“
U.S. „may“ join Saudi strikes on Houthis, Trump says
„We may. We‘re gonna look at it,“ Mr. Trump said when asked about the possibility as he left the White House for a campaign rally in Tennessee. „We just found out about the recent attack [on the airport]. So we‘ll make a decision– we move very quickly.“
Mr. Trump was also asked about whether the Houthi strike on Riyadh‘s airport would change his previously announced decision not to launch any potential strikes on Iran until after the midterms.
„Well, we‘re gonna take a look,“ he responded.
Houthis claim responsibility for deadly Riyadh airport attack
Yemen’s Houthis say they carried out Saturday’s missile attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid Airport, which killed 12 people and wounded about 300, some critically.
Military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group launched several operations against the airport, “resulting in the disruption of air traffic at the airport and its complete closure”.
‘Dawn of Yemen’ operation launched to liberate Sanaa
The chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council says the “Dawn of Yemen” military operation has begun to “restore state institutions and liberate the capital Sanaa and end the Houthi militia coup”.
“With God’s help, the will of our people, the bravery of our armed forces and all military formations, and the support of our brothers and friends, Yemen will move towards a new dawn of freedom, peace, and stability,” Rashad al-Alimi said on X.
Yemen’s government forces claim control of Bab al-Mandeb
The army of Yemen’s internationally recognised government says it has “succeeded in controlling” the Bab al-Mandeb strait and recaptured a nearby airport in the coastal town of Dhubab in the governorate of Taiz.
In a series of posts on X, Brigadier-General Majid al-Nuzaili said government forces took over the airport and tightened control in the area.
Yemen’s leader announces military operation to retake Houthi-held territory
The Saudi Arabia-backed head of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, has announced the start of military operations to retake the remaining territory held by the Iran-backed Houthi armed group and restore state authority across the country.
In a televised address, al-Alimi said on Sunday the internationally recognised government’s forces would extend “the authority of the state and its institutions over the entire national territory”.
Yemen’s army claims over 1,500 Houthi casualties, attacks Sanaa
Loud explosions have been reported in Yemen’s Houthi-held capital, Sanaa, while missile, drone and artillery attacks targeted Houthi positions across the country, according to the military.
Colonel Majed Abdullah al-Nazili, Yemen’s military spokesman, wrote on X on Saturday that the armed forces are carrying out a military operation “on legitimate vital military targets in Sanaa”, adding that they are “capable of executing strategic attacks against the Houthis”.
Saudis plan assault on Houthis to break Red Sea chokehold
More than 100,000 Yemeni troops could be mobilized in the offensive, depending on the scale, the officials all said.
Spokespeople for the Saudi and Yemeni governments, the Houthi group and the US military didn‘t immediately respond to requests for comment about the Saudi plans.
US sends additional Patriot batteries to Saudi Arabia and Qatar: Report
The US sent one additional Patriot battery to Saudi Arabia to protect a key oil facility and another to Qatar to protect a natural gas facility, Axios reported Thursday.
The deployments are notable because Patriot batteries are in high demand worldwide, and the US has a limited supply. The US has just 33 batteries stationed at home and 27 batteries stationed overseas, according to the nonprofit Missile Defence Alliance.
Pakistan sent four planeloads of weapons to Saudi-backed government in Yemen: Report
Pakistan sent four cargo planes of armaments to the Saudi-backed, internationally recognised government of Yemen in September as the kingdom mobilises to try to push back a sweeping Houthi offensive.
Pakistan says Mecca pact members to hold emergency talks on engaging Houthis
Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan, the pact‘s three members, will decide next steps at the meeting, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told a news conference. He said the date would be confirmed later.
Saudi Arabia turned down Israeli request to allow its planes to pick up Israeli passengers, security sources say
The Israeli air force was preparing to send Super Hercules planes to pick up Israeli passengers, one of the sources said.
The passengers were set to continue their journey on flydubai aircraft, the airline said.
Flight to Israel forced to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after ‚violent incident‘
Israeli sources say a co-pilot on board a FlyDubai flight to Tel Aviv stabbed the captain in an attempt to hijack the plane. CNN News Central‘s Kate Bolduan gets the latest from CNN Correspondent Jeremy Diamond.
Saudi, Pakistani, Turkish military chiefs convene in Riyadh
Turkey’s Chief of General Staff Selcuk Bayraktaroglu (R), Marshal Syed Asim Munir (L), Commander of the Pakistan Defence Forces and the Army, and General Fayyadh Bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili (C), Chief of the General Staff of Saudi Arabia, posing during a meeting in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia
France to send ‚military means‘ to protect Saudi oil port, Macron says
Macron emphasized that the French military did not intend to take part in any fighting. „Not to involve ourselves in any conflict, but to protect the site,“ he clarified. Macron also repeated that France was seeking to achieve the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz through diplomatic means, in particular by holding talks with „the Iranians“ and „the Omanis.“
Bombs loaded, targets picked: Why Trump pulled back from striking Houthis
There is another crucial consideration: the Houthis have so far avoided attacking American ships under an understanding reached with Washington.
Trump told Fox News on Sunday that the United States remained in communication with the group and said the Houthis had agreed not to fight the US.
A senior Houthi official separately told AP that the group did not intend to target American vessels. Oman-mediated discussions have also reaffirmed the 2025 US-Houthi ceasefire arrangement.
Trump called off planned US strikes on Houthis at last minute: Report
Trump initially resisted launching airstrikes during meetings with advisers Wednesday but later ordered the Pentagon to prepare for military action following a phone call with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday, the report said.
The Saudi crown prince urged Trump to intervene directly amid rapid territorial gains by the Houthis in Yemen, according to the newspaper.
Trump returns to White House earlier than expected
The administration did not give a reason for the change of plans. Trump was originally scheduled to depart Camp David later on Sunday local time.
(…)
Trump’s return to the White House came after the US State Department issued an alert to US citizens in the Middle East, warning that hostilities between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis in Yemen have “the potential to escalate rapidly”.
Saudi Arabia confirms Yemen’s Houthi rebels tried to attack its capital with a ballistic missile
Saudi Arabia on Saturday confirmed that Yemen’s Houthi rebels tried to attack its capital with a ballistic missile, the first targeting of Riyadh since the escalation in fighting with the Tehran-backed rebels that has opened a new front in the Iran war.
The statement by the Saudi-led coalition fighting the Houthis came long after the dawn attempt, which the coalition said was intercepted. Some residents in Riyadh heard an explosion. Later, some saw a plume of smoke near the airport. There were no reports of casualties or damage.
US Democrats look to stop Trump’s Saudi nuclear deal
Trump sent the proposed agreement to Congress in August, opening a 90-day window for lawmakers’ review and giving them an opportunity to try to pass a resolution of disapproval.
Democrats and nonproliferation advocates have criticized the nuclear pact for not barring Saudi Arabia from enriching uranium or reprocessing nuclear waste, two potential pathways to a nuclear weapon. The United Arab Emirates agreed to such measures, known as the gold standard, in its 2009 civil nuclear deal with Washington.
Statement of the African Union Commission on the Escalation in the Red Sea Region
The Commission condemns the attacks carried out by the Houthis against civilian targets and economic infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, as well as attacks and threats against commercial shipping in the Red Sea.
The Commission expresses particular concern over reports of attempted attacks targeting Makkah and other holy cities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It stresses that holy sites, as well as civilians and pilgrims visiting them, must be fully protected and must under no circumstances become targets of military action.
The Commission further strongly reaffirms the principle of freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, in accordance with international law. Any action aimed at obstructing or threatening navigation along this strategic maritime route poses a serious risk not only to the littoral States, but also to international trade, global supply chains, energy security and African economies.
African Union condemns attacks on holy sites and Red Sea shipping
The organisation also emphasised that the security of the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb strait was “a major strategic interest for Africa, particularly for the States of the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea littoral States”.
The commission joined a number of other states, global organisations, and individuals that also came forward to condemn ongoing attacks.
US clears way for $24.3-bn military aircraft sale to Saudi Arabia amid West Asia war
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major non-Nato ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf region,” the State Department said in its official notification.
Officials said the proposed deal would enhance Saudi Arabia’s ability to deter existing and future threats, strengthen its homeland defence and improve interoperability with US, regional and Nato forces.
At least 63 killed in latest fighting between Yemen government, Houthis
Fighting between the Houthis and Yemeni government forces and their Saudi backers has killed 63 people in the last 24 hours, AFP reported on Thursday, citing military sources from both sides.
At least 23 government soldiers were killed in missile and drone attacks by the Houthis in two southwestern provinces, a government official said, while Houthi military sources reported 40 fighters killed in Saudi air strikes and fighting on the ground.