Trump Eases Russia Sanctions as Saudi-Led Coalition Moves to Curb Houthi Arms Smuggling.
Dubai: US President Donald Trump has waived a new round of sanctions against Russia, while Saudi Arabia has reported intercepting missiles and drones amid intensified military operations against Yemen’s Houthis.
The Saudi-led coalition has also released footage of strikes targeting what it says are weapons-smuggling activities, as Iran rejects allegations of involvement in attacks against Saudi Arabia.
Here are seven major developments UAE residents should be aware of this Saturday, October 17.
1. Trump suspends new sanctions and tariffs against Russia
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Friday waiving new sanctions and tariffs aimed at Russia, which had been scheduled to come into force under legislation approved last month.
The proposed measures included tariffs of up to 100 per cent on major buyers of Russian oil and natural gas.
Trump said the decision to grant the waiver was in the national interest of the United States.
The move follows a recent agreement between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to permit Russian diesel supplies to enter global markets, as governments seek to ease pressure on fuel prices.
The exemption covers provisions introduced under the new legislation and does not remove existing US sanctions against Russia, which remain in effect.
2. Saudi Arabia reports intercepting missiles and drones
The Saudi-led coalition announced that its air defences had intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile reportedly heading towards Yanbu, a major Saudi port on the Red Sea and an important energy hub.
The coalition also reported shooting down two cruise missiles over the Red Sea, along with three drones detected over Saudi Arabia’s southern regions and the Riyadh area.
Authorities did not immediately provide details of any casualties or damage resulting from the interceptions.
Separately, Saudi Civil Defence announced that an earlier danger alert issued for Khamis Mushait had been lifted.
Meanwhile, the US Mission in Saudi Arabia warned travellers about the possibility of attacks targeting airports, temporary airspace restrictions and disruptions to flight operations.
According to the travel advisory referenced in live coverage, operations at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport were suspended through October 17, while airports in Jeddah and Dammam were experiencing some flight delays and cancellations.
Travellers are advised to contact their airlines and check official airport updates before departing, as flight schedules and operational conditions may change.
3. Saudi-led coalition publishes footage of strikes targeting alleged Houthi arms smuggling
The Saudi-led coalition has released video footage of military strikes against what it identified as Houthi weapons-smuggling operations along Yemen’s Red Sea coastline.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, the footage depicts operations targeting suspected maritime transfers of weapons into Al Hudaydah governorate.
The coalition said the strikes were directed at alleged arms-smuggling activities associated with the Houthis.
The coalition said the locations targeted in the strikes were part of a broader network allegedly used to transport weapons into territories controlled by the Houthis.
In a separate statement issued on Saturday, the coalition announced that it had destroyed two ballistic missile launchers in Saada governorate, a Houthi stronghold in northwestern Yemen.
Coalition spokesman Major General Turki Al Maliki confirmed the reported destruction of the launchers as Saudi Arabia continued to confront missile and drone threats.
However, the coalition’s claims concerning the alleged weapons-smuggling network and the destruction of the missile launchers have not been independently verified.
4. Houthis claim responsibility for missile strikes near Aden airport
Two missiles struck areas close to the airport in Aden, the temporary capital of Yemen’s internationally recognised government, according to police sources.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, saying their intended target was a Saudi command centre.
However, the identity of the intended target has not been independently established.
The incident comes amid a renewed escalation in fighting between Houthi forces and groups supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government.
5. Trump calls on Saudi Arabia to consider Israeli assistance
US President Donald Trump has encouraged Saudi Arabia to accept assistance from Israel in responding to threats posed by Yemen’s Houthis.
When asked whether Riyadh should agree to an Israeli offer of support, Trump responded: “Yeah, I do, sure. Israel has been very helpful to Saudi Arabia.”
The US president also indicated that efforts to normalise diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel could regain momentum.
Asked about the possibility of such an agreement, Trump suggested it could happen “maybe more than ever”.
Saudi Arabia, however, has not announced any decision to accept military assistance from Israel.
6. Iran rejects accusations over Houthi attacks and offers to mediate
Iran has denied Saudi allegations linking Tehran to attacks carried out by Yemen’s Houthis against the kingdom.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei maintained that his country had no involvement in the operations.
Tehran also renewed its offer to act as a mediator between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis in an effort to address the ongoing tensions.
The statements come as Saudi Arabia continues to report missile and drone threats from the Iran-backed Houthi movement.
7. US says more than 50,000 troops deployed across the Middle East
US Central Command (CENTCOM) has reported that more than 50,000 American military personnel are currently stationed across the Middle East.
The command also said that approximately 400 commercial vessels had travelled through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz during the preceding week.
In its assessment of economic pressure on Iran, CENTCOM claimed that Tehran was unable to access around $25 billion in oil export earnings.
It further stated that US authorities had frozen approximately $350 million in cryptocurrency assets.
The figures and assessments were presented by CENTCOM and have not been independently verified.
CENTCOM further claimed that mounting financial pressures were limiting Iran’s ability to pay military personnel, replenish equipment destroyed during military operations and provide support to allied armed groups across the region.
However, the financial figures and assessments released by the US military command have not been independently verified.
Key developments UAE residents should monitor today
Saudi Arabia’s security situation remains a major area of concern following the latest reported missile and drone interceptions and continued coalition operations against Houthi targets in Yemen.
Passengers planning to travel through Saudi Arabian airports are advised to verify their flight status directly with airlines and monitor official airport announcements for possible delays, cancellations or changes to operations.
The Strait of Hormuz also remains a critical area to monitor, as ongoing US military activities and maritime restrictions continue to influence shipping movements through the strategically important waterway.
Meanwhile, global energy markets will be assessing the potential consequences of President Donald Trump’s decision to waive new sanctions against Russia and permit additional Russian diesel supplies to reach international markets.
These developments could have implications for regional security, international travel, shipping routes and energy prices in the coming days.
