The United States has so far held back from direct military intervention in Yemen after US officials met Houthi leaders in Oman, according to reports. The talks reportedly focused on keeping the existing ceasefire between Washington and the Houthis and preventing attacks on US vessels in the Red Sea. The development comes as the Iran-backed group advances along Yemen’s Red Sea coast and launches attacks inside Saudi Arabia. Washington’s decision not to intervene directly has increased pressure on Riyadh to respond to the Houthi advance. US officials have maintained contact with the group, while regional tensions and oil prices remain elevated. (PC: India Today)

Pakistan has said its defence pact with Saudi Arabia and Turkey has “no aggressive element” and is “purely defensive” as tensions rise following recent Houthi attacks in the region. Pakistan Army spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said the agreement was based on “collective deterrence” and reflected decades of strategic, cultural and military ties between the countries. His remarks came after Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted a Houthi drone south of Mecca. The Houthis denied targeting the holy city. Pakistan has expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and warned that attacks could threaten regional security and global energy supplies. (PC: HT)

The US Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate by 0.25 percentage points on Wednesday, taking the target range to 3.75%-4%. It was the Fed’s first rate increase since July 2023. The decision was unanimous, with officials citing elevated inflation and saying the move would help bring price growth back towards the central bank’s 2% target. Fed Chair Kevin Warsh said inflation “is too high, and has been for too long.” The central bank also signalled that borrowing costs could remain higher as it assesses inflation and economic conditions. (PC: BBC)

Yemen’s Houthis on Wednesday claimed they shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet over Marib province using a locally made missile. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the aircraft was carrying out operations in support of Saudi military activity in the area. The group also released footage it said showed the jet being hit and its wreckage. However, the claim has not been independently verified, and Saudi authorities have not confirmed the reported loss of the aircraft. The Houthis also claimed Saudi warplanes had carried out more than 450 strikes across Yemen in the past week. (PC: India Today)

Pakistan’s military said its defence agreement with Saudi Arabia and Turkey could be opened to other countries, while insisting the pact is defensive and does not target Iran. Army spokesperson Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said additional countries could join if they shared the three founding members’ approach to non-aggression, non-interference and collective deterrence. He said any decision to expand the alliance would be taken by the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey. Pakistan’s military is also seeking to clarify the agreement’s purpose, stressing that it has “no regional aspirations” amid questions over how it would operate if a member were attacked. The pact was signed in Mecca in August. (PC: X)

Yemen’s Houthi forces have claimed attacks on a Saudi Aramco facility in Yanbu and a Saudi air base in Khamis Mushait. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group used dozens of ballistic missiles and attack drones against the Yanbu facility, claiming the strikes caused a large fire and extensive damage. He also said multiple ballistic missiles targeted the Khamis Mushait air base. Saudi authorities and Aramco have not officially confirmed any damage, and the claims have not been independently verified. Yanbu has become important to Saudi oil exports because the Strait of Hormuz has been severely disrupted, prompting Riyadh to reroute crude through the Red Sea port. The Yanbu refinery has 250,000-barrel-per-day capacity, while YASREF has 400,000 barrels.

Saudi Arabia is facing major challenges in exporting oil after a key pipeline was shut. The East-West pipeline, which connects oil fields to the Red Sea port of Yanbu, was closed after attacks on Saudi energy facilities. The Strait of Hormuz is also blocked, limiting Saudi Arabia’s main export route. Houthi attacks have further reduced shipments through the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Saudi Arabia can send some oil through Egypt using the Suez Canal and Sumed pipeline. However, this route takes longer, especially for Asian markets. The disruptions have pushed oil prices higher and increased pressure on global energy supplies.  

The European Union has invited Canada to become its first-ever “associate member”. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made the offer during a speech in Strasbourg on Wednesday. She said the EU and Canada share democratic values and common views on issues like AI, climate change and the Ukraine war. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomed closer ties with the EU. The two sides plan to strengthen cooperation in trade, defence, energy, technology and critical minerals. They will also work together on Arctic projects. The EU and Canada are expected to discuss the proposal at a summit in October.  

At least 20 people, including five children, were killed when a six-storey residential building in Gaza City collapsed on September 16 after previously being damaged by Israeli strikes, according to Palestinian rescue officials. The building had been sheltering around 100 displaced Palestinian families, and its collapse also brought down nearby tents, trapping people beneath the rubble. At least 25 others were reported injured, while rescue teams continued searching for survivors. Emergency operations were hampered by limited heavy machinery. The incident highlights the dangers faced by displaced civilians living in damaged buildings amid continuing violence and severe housing shortages in Gaza. (PC: AFP)

Saudi Arabia said its air defences intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca on Tuesday evening. Saudi-led coalition spokesperson Turki al-Maliki called the alleged targeting of the holy city a “disgraceful act”. The Houthis denied targeting Mecca, with military spokesperson Yahya Sarea saying their attacks were aimed at Saudi military bases and oil facilities. Saudi authorities also issued security alerts over incoming projectiles in western areas, including Mecca and Jeddah. The United States embassy in Saudi Arabia separately advised Americans to reconsider travel, citing risks from missile and drone attacks. The claims could not be independently verified. (PC: BBC)