US withdraws diplomats’ families from Gulf amid Houthi attacks

The United States has ordered non-emergency government employees and their families to leave its diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia following deadly attacks on the kingdom’s airport and oil infrastructure.

The decision comes amid escalating regional tensions and concerns over further attacks by Iran-aligned Houthi forces, with Washington also planning to withdraw family members from its missions in other Gulf countries.

US State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said the department had ordered the departure of non-emergency American government employees and their families in Saudi Arabia, citing attacks on civilian targets and critical infrastructure.

The attacks killed at least three people and injured eight others, according to Saudi authorities.

One person was killed and eight others injured in an attack on King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, while two people died in a drone attack targeting a facility at Saudi Aramco’s Shaybah oilfield.

Four US officials told Reuters that American missions in other Gulf states would also order family members to leave. Pigott, however, did not confirm changes to diplomatic missions outside Saudi Arabia.

The latest development follows an escalation of fighting in Yemen amid a wider regional conflict triggered by the US-Israeli war on Iran, which began in late February.

The conflict has disrupted global energy trade and heightened security concerns across the Gulf, a region central to international oil supplies and shipping.

Saudi Arabia’s energy ministry said its air defences intercepted a drone attempting to strike a facility at the Shaybah oilfield, resulting in two deaths.

The country’s civil aviation authority separately reported the deadly attack on King Fahd International Airport.

The US Embassy in Riyadh had earlier issued a security alert warning of possible further Houthi attacks following deadly strikes, including an attack on Riyadh’s airport.

The embassy and a Central Intelligence Agency station operating from the facility were also targeted by drones in early March, as Iran launched attacks across the region.

The withdrawal order signals Washington’s growing concern over the security of its personnel as attacks threaten civilian facilities, diplomatic installations and energy infrastructure across the Gulf.

CARICOM, Türkiye explore cooperation in trade, energy, food security

The Caribbean Community, CARICOM and the Republic of Türkiye have explored opportunities to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, food security, renewable energy, disaster management and maritime connectivity.

The two sides also identified health, port development and climate resilience as priority areas for deeper engagement during the second meeting of the CARICOM-Republic of Türkiye Consultation and Cooperation Mechanism held on October 12, 2026.

According to a joint press release, the meeting reaffirmed both parties’ commitment to strengthening political dialogue and advancing practical cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

The meeting was co-chaired by the Permanent Secretary in Suriname’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Business and Cooperation, Ambassador Miriam Mac Intosh, and Türkiye’s Director-General for Latin America and the Caribbean in its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Erkan Aytun.

Mac Intosh, who represents the current chair of the CARICOM Council for Foreign and Community Relations, said the partnership was founded on constructive dialogue, mutual respect and a shared commitment to development.

She commended Türkiye for its support for development projects and humanitarian assistance across the Caribbean, noting that the contributions had delivered tangible benefits to the region.

“We remain committed to identifying and advancing further initiatives that contribute to the Region’s resilience and sustainable development,” she said.

Convened under a memorandum of understanding signed in 2011, the meeting reviewed developments in relations between the two parties and examined opportunities to expand cooperation.

High-level officials from CARICOM member states presented practical proposals covering trade and investment, disaster management, food security, renewable energy, health, maritime connectivity and port development.

Representatives of Turkish institutions also outlined how their technical expertise, technology and institutional capacity could support the priorities of Caribbean countries.

The discussions further examined preparations for the 31st Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, known as COP31, scheduled to take place in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20, 2026.

Türkiye, which will preside over the conference, presented its strategic priorities and preparations for the global climate summit.

Aytun said the country wanted COP31 to focus on implementing climate commitments, following consultations with participating countries and other stakeholders.

“We need to make COP31 an implementation COP,” he said.

He identified 10 priority themes for the climate action agenda, including clean energy transition and electrification, zero waste and methane reduction, climate-resilient cities, green industrialisation, youth and education, food security, oceans and seas, resilient health systems, synergies among the Rio conventions and a climate implementation bridge.

CARICOM and Türkiye have expanded their engagement over the years through development cooperation, humanitarian assistance and support for regional initiatives.

Recent areas of cooperation include contributions to Caribbean disaster recovery efforts, support for the Caribbean Development Fund and assistance in strengthening the CARICOM Secretariat’s information and communications infrastructure.

UK, Germany ratify defence treaty amid Russian threat

The United Kingdom and Germany have ratified a defence and security treaty aimed at strengthening cooperation against hybrid attacks, including cyber threats, sabotage and disinformation, amid growing concerns over Russia’s activities across Europe.

The British Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz formalised the ratification of the 2025 Kensington Treaty during a meeting in Berlin, Germany, where both leaders pledged to deepen security cooperation and strengthen economic ties.

Speaking at the German Federal Chancellery, Burnham said the two countries faced hybrid attacks regularly and needed to work together to address the threats.

He said the agreement would improve security across Europe while creating opportunities to boost economic growth and living standards in both countries.

Burnham described the treaty as the first of its kind between the UK and Germany since the Second World War, adding that its implementation marked a significant development in bilateral relations.

The British leader also disclosed that his government would seek to advance discussions on Germany joining the Global Combat Air Programme, a multinational initiative involving the UK, Italy and Japan to develop a next-generation fighter aircraft.

He said the partnership would extend beyond conventional military cooperation to include efforts to counter hybrid attacks, protect democratic processes and strengthen collaboration in quantum technology and space.

Burnham also expressed his intention to host the first joint meeting of the British and German cabinets in 2027.

The Berlin meeting came amid heightened concerns among European governments over alleged Russian involvement in activities targeting critical infrastructure.

Germany accused Russia last month of launching a drone fitted with explosives at Leipzig/Halle Airport, a major international freight hub that also serves as a logistics centre for support to Ukraine.

The British government subsequently summoned a senior Russian diplomat over what it described as an egregious and reckless attack, while the European Union’s foreign affairs chief also summoned Russia’s envoy in Brussels.

Moscow has denied involvement in the incident.

Hybrid warfare refers to activities that fall between conventional armed conflict and peacetime relations. Such operations may involve cyberattacks, sabotage, espionage, disinformation campaigns and attempts to disrupt critical infrastructure.

Former British national security adviser, Sir Mark Lyall Grant, said Russia had intensified such activities in response to European support for Ukraine following Moscow’s invasion.

Grant warned that undersea cables in the North Sea were among the infrastructure attracting Russian interest, adding that the issue was likely to feature in discussions between the British and German leaders.

Meanwhile, Burnham expressed support for closer relations between Britain and the European Union ahead of a planned UK-EU summit next month.

He said he was committed to securing deeper cooperation with European partners, arguing that closer ties would benefit economic growth and efforts to tackle irregular migration.

French Finance Minister Roland Lescure had also urged Britain to consider returning fully to the European Union in an interview with the BBC.

Merz said Germany would support efforts to bring Britain closer to Europe and the EU.

The renewed discussions come amid reports of political pressure on both leaders at home.

Burnham became British prime minister in July after Sir Keir Starmer was forced out by members of his party, two years after leading Labour to a landslide election victory.

Merz, meanwhile, has faced criticism over his government’s standing and setbacks in regional elections, prompting speculation about his political future.

Despite the domestic challenges, both leaders used the Berlin meeting to reaffirm their commitment to security cooperation and closer European relations.