A series of military engagements, maritime strikes, and security developments have unfolded across the Middle East, highlighted by an attack on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz and heightened readiness levels among international naval missions.
Maritime security and Strait of Hormuz operations
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared that it struck a Togo-flagged oil tanker as the vessel attempted an “illegal passage” through the Strait of Hormuz, reports Al Jazeera.
Following the surge in regional maritime threats, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced that EU Operation ASPIDES – a defensive naval security mission launched in February 2024 to protect merchant shipping – has raised the alert level for its vessels while maintaining escort duties.
Condemning attacks by the Iran-backed Houthi movement against Saudi Arabia as unacceptable actions that sabotage the global economy, Kallas said she held talks with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud.
Their discussions focused on diplomatic efforts to end the conflict in Yemen and restore unimpeded, toll-free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
In a related maritime development, the Saudi Arabia Defence Ministry confirmed that the fourth planning meeting of the multinational Combined Maritime Forces alliance took place in Jeddah on Thursday.
The session brought together 154 naval leaders, planners, ambassadors, and European Union representatives from 41 nations.
According to a ministry statement posted on X, the alliance is transitioning into its capability integration and operational readiness phase ahead of active physical deployment to safeguard international shipping corridors in accordance with international law.
Protests and rejections in Yemen
In Sanaa, supporters of the Ansar Allah (Houthi) movement gathered at Al-Sabeen Square for Friday demonstrations to reject accusations from Saudi Arabia that the movement had targeted the holy city of Mecca.
Demonstrators carrying signs in defence of Islamic holy sites denounced the allegations as Saudi propaganda intended to generate support for military operations in Yemen, affirming that Houthi forces will continue to resist Saudi military action.
Weapons depot explosion in Syria
In eastern Syria, an explosion occurred at a Syrian army ammunition depot located in Ayyash, within the western Deir Az Zor province.
Local authorities and governorate officials confirmed the blast, while reporting indicated that several people sustained injuries.
Developments in Gaza and the West Bank
In central Gaza, live ammunition fired from Israeli drones wounded three civilians – a young man and two women – at Bureij refugee camp, where displaced persons were sheltering in tents.
The Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that one woman suffered a serious neck injury, with all casualties subsequently transferred to the al-Awda Medical Complex in Nuseirat.
In the occupied West Bank, armed Israeli settlers operating under the protection of Israeli forces assaulted and detained Palestinian farmers attempting to work their land in Wadi al-Shanar, located east of Halhul near Hebron.
Local reports highlighted increasing incidents of crop destruction, uprooted fruit trees, and land bulldozing across the district.
