Week in Review: Houthi Escalation Against Saudi Arabia and Hormuz Tensions
The week was dominated by Houthi escalation against Saudi Arabia, Egypt's president seeking authorization to support the kingdom, and continued tension in the Strait of Hormuz. On Ukraine, the news moved from Washington's suspension of sanctions on Russia to Witkoff's meeting with Putin. Israel headed toward its 27 October election amid escalation in the West Bank, while Jordan and France each faced deadly security incidents.
Houthi escalation against Saudi Arabia and Egypt's mandate request
On Sunday 18 October, the Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted two ballistic missiles fired by the Houthis toward Khamis Mushait. The same day, Egypt's parliament scheduled a session after President Sisi asked for authorization to take any action Saudi Arabia requests to defend itself. On Tuesday the chamber postponed its decision after two days of debate, with discussions to resume next Monday. On Wednesday 22 October, the BBC Arabic reported deaths and injuries in an attack on King Fahd Airport in Dammam, the US embassy in Riyadh asked staff and their families to leave, and Saudi Arabia's energy ministry said two people were killed in an attempted attack on the Shaybah field. On Thursday, Ansar Allah said it targeted Saudi Arabia's defense ministry, while the coalition said it intercepted drones and a ballistic missile.
- Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted two Houthi ballistic missiles
- Egypt's parliament to convene emergency session on Sisi's request for Saudi defense mandate
- Egypt's parliament delays vote on authorizing military support for Saudi Arabia
- Attack on Dammam airport causes casualties as US embassy orders staff out of Saudi Arabia
- Two killed in drone attack on Saudi Arabia's Shaybah oil field
- Houthis say they targeted Saudi defense ministry as coalition reports intercepting drones and missile
Iran and Hormuz: mines, threats and talk of military action
The week began with the Revolutionary Guards saying two oil tankers caught fire after hitting mines in the Strait of Hormuz, while Washington said most ships crossed without harm. On Monday the Guards hinted at possibly targeting internet cables on the strait's seabed. On Wednesday Iranian media reported explosions in Hormozgan without giving a cause, Araghchi warned Washington of a 'strategic defeat', and Netanyahu said he holds to the goal of 'regime change'. On Thursday Trump accused Iran of fabricating attacks in the strait to raise oil prices before the US midterms, and reports said the Guards threatened to target US bases. On Friday envoy Tom Barrack said a US strike on Iran before the week's end could not be ruled out, and Trump replied he knew nothing about it. The Guards' naval force later announced two supertankers exploded south of the strait after hitting mines, and Trump…
- Two oil tankers catch fire in Strait of Hormuz after hitting mines, Revolutionary Guard says
- Iran's Revolutionary Guard hints at targeting internet cables in Strait of Hormuz
- Explosions heard in southern Iran as Netanyahu and Araghchi trade tough rhetoric
- Trump accuses Iran of staging Hormuz attacks to push up oil prices before midterms
- Barrack doesn't rule out US strike on Iran this weekend; Trump says he knows nothing of it
- Two oil tankers explode south of Hormuz as Trump hints at new operation against Iran
Ukraine: sanctions, negotiations and Starlink
Zelensky accused Trump of rewarding Putin after Washington suspended sanctions on Russia; coverage differed on whether this was an exemption from sanctions passed by Congress or a suspension of new sanctions. On Monday Trump said the delay did not mean a retreat and was meant to keep the negotiating track alive. On Tuesday a US official said Witkoff would meet Putin on Wednesday, and the Wall Street Journal reported that Musk ordered a slowdown of the military version of Starlink used by Ukrainian forces. On Wednesday, after meeting Witkoff, Putin said Moscow is ready to resume trilateral talks after mid-November. On Thursday the military service returned to higher speeds after a call between Trump and Musk.
- Zelensky accuses Trump of rewarding Putin over Russia sanctions suspension
- Trump says delaying Russia sanctions is meant to keep Ukraine talks on track
- Trump envoy Witkoff to meet Putin on Wednesday with new Ukraine proposals
- Report: Musk ordered slowdown of military Starlink service used by Ukraine
- Putin says Russia is ready to resume three-way Ukraine peace talks after mid-November
- Military Starlink service regains speed in Ukraine after Trump-Musk call
Israel: the 27 October election and West Bank escalation
France urged Israel to arrest those responsible for a settler attack on a convoy of European diplomats in the West Bank, while Netanyahu's office questioned the circumstances and called for patience. During the week Trump urged Israelis to vote for Netanyahu, and Netanyahu's main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, replied that the choice belongs to Israeli voters alone. Axios cited Israeli and US officials as saying dozens of Israeli fighter jets flew near the Iranian border to deter Tehran before the election. On Friday two Israeli soldiers were killed in an attack on a checkpoint near Hebron; Netanyahu ordered the West Bank closed, and the army said it killed the two attackers.
- France urges Israel to arrest settlers who attacked European diplomats in West Bank
- Trump urges Israelis to vote for Netanyahu in Oct. 27 election
- Eisenkot responds to Trump's endorsement of Netanyahu ahead of Israeli vote
- Dozens of Israeli fighter jets fly near Iran's border in show of force, Axios reports
- Netanyahu orders West Bank closure after two Israeli soldiers killed near Hebron
Two separate security incidents in Jordan and France
In Jordan, gunmen opened fire on mourners at a funeral in a church courtyard in Karak governorate, killing 7 and wounding 34; the king called the attack terrorism and visited the wounded on Friday. In France, several cities saw protests over the cost of living, with clashes with police. Macron pledged to hold those behind the vandalism and looting accountable, and Al Jazeera reported about 2,400 arrests and nearly 1,000 police officers injured. On Friday Macron described a shooting in the Paris suburbs as a planned terrorist attack with a racist motive.
- Jordan's King Abdullah II visits those wounded in Karak church attack
- Seven killed in gunmen's attack on funeral at church in southern Jordan
- Cost-of-living protests lead to clashes with police in several French cities
- Macron vows to hold those behind looting and vandalism accountable after French protests
- Macron calls Paris suburb shooting a racially motivated terrorist attack
What to watch
Egypt's parliament is due to resume discussing the authorization request next Monday, and Israel votes on 27 October. Putin said Moscow is ready to resume trilateral talks after mid-November, with no date or venue given. Trump pointed to an upcoming visit to China in November during which a three-way meeting with Putin and Xi could be held.
This review was prepared with the help of AI from the summaries Lamha published during the week, and may contain errors. Spotted one? Let us know