IIME Daily Brief — 2026-10-16

Houthi attacks kill five people at Yemen’s Presidential Palace in Aden and strike Saudi Aramco’s headquarters in Riyadh. The IMF says prolonged war and disruptions to energy, shipping, or critical infrastructure pose the biggest risk to Middle Eastern and Central Asian economies.

A Houthi attack on Yemen’s Presidential Palace in Aden kills five people and injures 16 — The National.

Houthi forces strike Saudi Aramco’s headquarters in Riyadh, officials say — AP.

Saudi airlines moves aircraft valued at up to $4 billion from Riyadh Airport amid Houthi strikes — The Wall Street Journal.

The Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted a missile over the Medina region — The Hindu.

Disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is beginning to affect harvests, a U.N. agency says — Reuters.

The IMF says prolonged war and disruptions to energy production, shipping routes, or critical infrastructure pose the biggest risk to Middle Eastern and Central Asian economies — Reuters.

Israel says commercial goods have stopped entering Gaza after traders halted coordination — Reuters.

Gaza’s administration committee and Germany’s GIZ sign an agreement establishing technical cooperation on Gaza’s recovery and reconstruction — NCAG on X.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reveals that he spoke with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in 2025 after Israel bombed Damascus — The Times of Israel.

Israel’s military chief warns of a possible security escalation across all fronts — The Times of Israel.

Hezbollah acknowledges that explosives seized at Dahr el-Baïdar belonged to the group and warns opponents against attacks — L'Orient-Le Jour.

Lebanon revokes Bank Saderat Iran’s license amid U.S. pressure — Aawsat.

Iraq’s parliament approves the remaining cabinet members and deputy prime ministers — Reuters.

The United States sanctions Iraq Development Bank and other targets over ties to Iran — The National.

Turkish authorities raid the last major television news channel critical of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan — The New York Times.

Turkey says early elections could allow President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to seek another term — Reuters.

Sharjah Police arrest 33 people in an international operation targeting an alleged $2.4 billion money-laundering scheme — The National.

Nvidia says its artificial intelligence plans in the UAE and Saudi Arabia remain unchanged despite the Iran conflict — The National.