IIME Morning Brief · September 16, 2026

Yemen coastguard flees, Saudi civilians wounded in Houthi strikes, and CENTCOM mediated Israeli-Saudi cooperation. Some oil cargoes exceeded $130 a barrel while France increases support for Great Sea Interconnector.

Yemen’s coastguard fled to Djibouti after a Houthi takeover — The National.

Houthi strikes wounded 13 civilians in the Saudi cities of Khamis Mushait, Abha and Taif — The Jerusalem Post.

Israel and Saudi Arabia held U.S.-mediated talks on intelligence assistance to help Riyadh defend against the Houthis — The Jerusalem Post.

Some physical oil cargoes exceeded $130 a barrel amid disruptions to Saudi supplies — Reuters.

Iran expanded threats against shipping to P&I and classification societies — Maritime Executive.

Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz dwindled further after attacks intensified in the Middle East — Reuters.

Pentagon watchdog says Iran war has led to munitions shortfall — Lead IG Report.

Amazon Web Services could not restore access to Bahrain and one UAE cloud-data zone after war damage — Reuters.

Widespread protests, the largest since Bashar al-Assad’s 2024 ouster, broke out across Syria — Reuters.

A Russian convoy resupplied Syria’s coastal facilities for the first time since a Moscow-Damascus deal — Reuters.

A delegation of U.S. officials and business leaders arrived in Syria to deepen Washington’s economic ties with Damascus — The National.

Iraq faces month-end deadlines for the end of the U.S. military presence and the disarmament of non-state armed groups — AP.

The Israeli military said Hezbollah was attempting to establish footholds in gaps within southern Lebanon’s Yellow Line — The Jerusalem Post.

The IMF reportedly sought the removal of the managements of most Lebanese banks during a visit to Lebanon — Mounir Younes, Lorientlejour.

France is taking a larger role in the Great Sea Interconnector as Greece prepares new seabed surveys — Greek City Times.

The United States sanctioned Russia’s VTB Bank over alleged Iran sanctions evasion and banking ties — The Media Line.