Latest news with #Saudi-led
Yemen Press Agency
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Yemen Press Agency
Foreign intelligence conflict threatens to erupt in Aden
SANAA, June 15 (YPA) – Turkish intelligence has established a foothold in the Yemeni governorates of Aden and Hadramout to conduct its activities in southern Yemen, assisted by leaders from the Islah Party within the Leadership Council and the government loyal to the Saudi-led coalition. The governorates of Aden, Lahj, Hadramout, and the areas extending along the Gulf of Aden and up to Bab al-Mandab have witnessed accelerating competition between relief programs run by the Turkish Red Crescent and the Emirates Red Crescent. Both sides conceal their intelligence activities under the guise of humanitarian work to enhance their influence in the region. Over the past two years, Turkish intelligence has emerged as an active player in competition with the Emirates Red Crescent by providing humanitarian aid, distributing sacrificial meat, and distributing fishing equipment, with the aim of gaining the loyalty of local communities. Southern political sources explained that the activities carried out by the Turkish Crescent in the southern regions are purely intelligence-based, aiming to achieve political goals in cooperation with government leaders and officials linked to the coalition, in an effort to restore the influence of the Islah Party, which has been declining since 2019. The sources indicated that Turkey is relying on these social activities after the failure of its military and security attempts to strengthen its presence in recent years. The intelligence competition between Turkey and the UAE has become clear, especially in light of both sides' efforts to achieve their political agendas through humanitarian assistance. This has exacerbated the fragility of the living and service landscape amid the complete absence of a role for the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC). The deteriorating living conditions and the inability of the coalition-backed government have transformed Aden and other areas into centers of regional and international intelligence competition involving parties such as Saudi Arabia, the United States, and the Israeli entity, in addition to Turkey and the UAE. Tensions also extend across the western coast of Yemen in the Horn of Africa, including Somalia, which overlooks the Gulf of Aden and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, raising fears of an escalating conflict over strategic influence. Turkish and Emirati intelligence interests have recently emerged in governorates such as Aden, Lahj, Hadramout, and Abyan through formal humanitarian channels, within the context of a deeper competition for influence. Turkey has sought to reshape its image in the Arab world using intellectual and media outlets, such as promoting historical series, while confronting the heavy legacy of the practices of the former Ottoman era. On the other hand, the example of the Yemeni island of Socotra illustrates how humanitarian efforts initially transformed into direct military deployments led by the UAE and Saudi Arabia, in partnership with 'Israel,' which established a military base on Abd al-Kuri Island after normalizing relations in 2020. Politicians warn of the possibility of a repetition of the Emirati-Turkish scenario in southern Yemen, where both parties seek to gain local loyalties through aid in the absence of state authority. This competition raises questions about the future of foreign influence in the region and its potential impact on local communities, especially with the continued manipulation of living conditions and services and the implementation of systematic starvation policies in Aden and the rest of the southern governorates.
The Star
6 days ago
- Health
- The Star
WHO steps up dengue response in S. Yemen amid rising cases
ADEN, Yemen, June 16 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday ramped up a large-scale dengue fever control campaign in Yemen's southern Aden and Lahj provinces, where a surge in infections since the start of 2025 has added pressure to an already severe humanitarian crisis. More than 3,900 dengue cases and 14 deaths have been reported in the two provinces as of April, the WHO said in a statement via its Yemen office on Sunday. Both areas are under the control of the internationally recognized government. The campaign aims to reduce dengue-related illness and deaths while limiting transmission, the WHO said in a post on social media platform X. Key measures include larval source management to eliminate mosquito breeding sites, community health education, and targeted fogging operations in affected areas. Yemen has been embroiled in conflict since 2014 when the Houthi militant group seized control of Sanaa and other northern regions, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to intervene in 2015 to restore the internationally recognized government. The war, now in its second decade, has triggered what the United Nations calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Despite repeated mediation efforts, a lasting peace remains elusive.
New Straits Times
6 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Oil price rally may be short-lived: Analyst
KUALA LUMPUR: The rally in crude oil prices, which saw Brent surge to US$75 per barrel following the escalating Israel-Iran conflict, may be short-lived, according to UOB. Its head of markets strategy, Heng Koon How, said the rally, which has recovered all losses since April's "Liberation Day" tariff shock, faces ample global supply buffers and growing risks to global demand. "The jump in Brent crude is driven by geopolitical risk, but it's still too early to call for a sustained rally. We need to see how Iran retaliates and how Saudi Arabia and OPEC+ respond," Heng said in a research note today. Brent futures climbed nearly 10 per cent last Friday, briefly touching US$78.50 before settling at US$75. This reversed a two-month slide triggered by US tariff moves and Saudi-led supply resumptions. Heng noted that past conflicts between Israel and Iran in 2024 failed to push prices higher for long, due to rapid de-escalation and resilient global supply. "A key difference now is the intensity. This latest round has already seen significant missile exchanges, and there is real concern about regional infrastructure being targeted," he said. He added a worst-case scenario would involve Iran attacking US military bases or oil facilities in the Middle East, which could disrupt flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global shipping lane. In such a case, oil prices could spike above US$100 per barrel. However, the supply side remains well-positioned to cushion potential shocks. "The US now produces more than 13 million barrels per day (bpd), while Saudi Arabia has spare capacity to ramp up output by two to three million bpd if needed. "OPEC+ has already pledged to restore two-thirds of their pandemic-era cuts by year-end. They have both the capacity and the motivation to calm markets if prices overheat," Heng said. UOB maintained its Brent crude forecast at US$65 for the third quarter and US$60 for the fourth quarter, while also pointing to another growing concern over weakening demand. "While the focus is currently on supply disruption, the demand picture is deteriorating. The World Bank has already downgraded global growth to 2.3 per cent, citing trade uncertainties from the Trump administration's policies," Heng said. With the global economy potentially slowing into 2026, energy consumption may taper, putting downward pressure on prices. "For now, we are watching the two key variables, namely Iran's retaliation and OPEC+'s reaction. Until there is more clarity, we see no reason to revise our forecast," he added.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Oil Starts Summer on Borrowed Time as OPEC+ Fuels Surplus Threat
(Bloomberg) -- The oil market is racing toward a reckoning as a Saudi-led output surge only adds to expectations of a market that will be in surplus later this year. The crucial question is when? Next Stop: Rancho Cucamonga! Trump Said He Fired the National Portrait Gallery Director. She's Still There. Where Public Transit Systems Are Bouncing Back Around the World NYC Mayoral Candidates All Agree on Building More Housing. But Where? US Housing Agency Vulnerable to Fraud After DOGE Cuts, Documents Warn For months, the biggest news in the market has been OPEC+'s seismic decision to stop supporting oil prices — instead unleashing a flood of barrels. That's happening just as President Donald Trump's trade war threatens to sap demand. While the clock is ticking, there's been little sign of a price collapse here and now. In fact, oil markets — despite dipping this year — are just about holding up. Data from oil major BP Plc — which operates oil refineries from Illinois to Rotterdam — show that the second quarter was the most profitable in over a year from making fuel. Refiners have been busy snapping up cargoes in the US and the North Sea, rushing to turn crude into products like gasoline and jet fuel as demand ramps up in the peak northern-hemisphere summer season. 'It's never usually a good idea to short the market on the eve of the seasonal increase in demand,' said Frederic Lasserre, global head of market research and analysis at Gunvor Group, one of the world's top oil traders. 'But after that, the consensus for the fourth quarter and 2026 is quite bearish.' The global oil market was widely expected to face an oversupply by the end of this year, even before OPEC+'s pivot. The group's unexpected additions have only added to the chances of an inflection. The fate of the market matters to oil producing states and central banks in consumer nations alike. A slump would reduce the flow of petrodollars on the one hand while lowering fuel costs on the other, filtering into wider inflation expectations. In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia is betting the demand increase will give the kingdom leeway to lift its own production and recover market share lost to US shale producers and others outside of the OPEC+ group, people familiar said earlier this month. Brent oil hovered around $67.40 a barrel on Tuesday in London. It's mostly traded between $60 and $67.50 ever since the OPEC+ pivot was announced. The average in the three months prior was $75. Surplus Expected For months, Wall Street's expectation has been that demand growth wouldn't be able to keep pace with a slew of output additions from outside of the OPEC+ alliance this year. Strong demand over the winter and into summer — as well as possibly some purchasing for stockpiles — have stalled the reckoning, but still prices in recent years have been high enough to incentivize a wave of new production in a handful of nations, notably in Guyana. Supply has also been at or near records everywhere from Canada to Argentina and China. Indeed even in the US, where rig counts are plunging to a four-year low, recent data offer another reason for the Saudis to be careful about keeping hold of market share. America's total oil production soared to a record in March, with total crude oil and natural gas liquids being revised significantly higher from earlier estimates. That means any eventual declines in US supplies will be coming from historically high levels. Supply Pressures The elevated output is starting to come to the fore. For the first time in years, stockpiles showed signs of building when the world's oil refiners shuttered for seasonal maintenance over the spring. Oil storage tanks filled up the fastest pace since 2020 after years of being emptied. At the heart of the increase were inventories in the northeastern Chinese province of Shandong — home to the country's vast array of teapot refineries and a major new strategic reserve — as well as those near new processing plants, according to Kayrros, which monitors stockpiling. Demand in the world's top importer is also under threat as the fleet of diesel-fueled is steadily replaced by natural gas and battery powered vehicles. In contrast to crude, stockpiles of major refined fuels like gasoline and diesel have stayed low, bolstering the incentive to keep buying barrels. 'Inventories are low, we're in the seasonal peak demand season now,' said Gary Ross, a veteran oil consultant turned hedge fund manager at Black Gold Investors LLC. 'Margins are good and refiners are churning through crude as there is an economic incentive to do that. Inevitably the market is going to be oversupplied later this year, but it's just a question of everyone getting all hyped up and shorting too early.' Hockey Stick The tension between the near-term market and how traders perceive the winter is evident in futures pricing. Normally, when there's robust demand for barrels right now, oil for immediate supply will command a premium. At the moment, that pattern exists, but — unusually — the market flips into what is known as contango — a much more bearish structure later in the year. The signals are fundamental to how traders perceive supply and demand. Its current unusual pattern — something akin to a hockey stick — is on its longest such stretch for at least 17 years. Trump Risk Complicating the path ahead is the risk that Trump could post at any moment about a deal with one or all of Iran, Russia and China, each of which has the potential to send prices soaring or crashing. Back in April 2020, a single Trump tweet pushed oil prices higher by about 40% in seconds, making even the most ardent bears think twice before taking positions. Just like back then, much will depend on OPEC+'s next moves. June and July's exports from OPEC and its allies aren't likely to match the headline 411,000 barrel a day output figure because of higher domestic use for cooling in the scorching Middle East summer, traders said. Morgan Stanley analysts including Martijn Rats and Charlotte Firkins wrote on Monday that they're yet to see signs of a surge. However, if OPEC+ keeps pushing extra supply beyond summer, then the Middle East nations would be able to export a bigger slice of their output. 'The key question is the return of OPEC+ barrels after various cuts over the preceding three years,' Trafigura Group chief economist Saad Rahim said in the company's 2025 half-year results report last week. 'In the view of OPEC+, the current level of inventories and the marked backwardation indicate that the market needs barrels despite the potential impending slowdown in demand that tariffs might cause.' --With assistance from Mia Gindis. New Grads Join Worst Entry-Level Job Market in Years The SEC Pinned Its Hack on a Few Hapless Day Traders. The Full Story Is Far More Troubling Cavs Owner Dan Gilbert Wants to Donate His Billions—and Walk Again What America's Pizza Economy Is Telling Us About the Real One America Cast Itself as the World's Moral Leader. Not Anymore ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Yemen's al-Qaeda leader threatens Trump, Musk over Israel's war on Gaza
The leader of al-Qaeda's Yemen branch has targeted US President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk over United States backing for Israel's ongoing war on the Gaza Strip and its besieged Palestinian population. 'There are no red lines after what happened and is happening to our people in Gaza,' said Saad bin Atef al-Awlaki in a half-hour video message that was spread online Saturday by supporters of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), the Yemeni branch of the armed group. 'Reciprocity is legitimate,' he said. Al-Awlaki's video message also included calls for so-called lone wolves to assassinate leaders in Egypt, Jordan and the Gulf Arab states over the war, which has decimated Gaza, killing at least 54,772 Palestinians over the past 20 months. The message featured images of Trump and Musk, US Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, as well as logos of Musk's businesses – including electric carmaker Tesla. Born in 2009 from the merger of al-Qaeda's Yemeni and Saudi factions, AQAP is completely distinct from Yemen's Houthi rebel group, which controls most of the country and agreed to a ceasefire with the US earlier this grew and developed amid the chaos of Yemen's war, which has pitted the Houthis against a Saudi-led coalition backing the government since 2015. Al-Awlaki became the group's leader in 2024, replacing predecessor Khalid Batarfi, who died that year. He already has a $6m US bounty on his head, having, as Washington puts it, 'publicly called for attacks against the United States and its allies'. Though believed to be weakened in recent years due to infighting and suspected US drone strikes killing its leaders, the group had been considered the most dangerous branch of al-Qaeda still operating since the US killing of founder Osama bin Laden in 2011. United Nations experts estimate AQAP has between 3,000 and 4,000 active fighters and passive members, claiming that it raises money by robbing banks and money exchange shops, as well as by smuggling weapons, counterfeiting currencies and conducting ransom operations. The Houthis have previously denied working with AQAP, though the latter's targeting of the Houthis has dropped in recent years, while its fighters keep attacking the Saudi-led coalition forces. Now, with its focus on Israel's war on Gaza, AQAP appears to be following the lead of the Houthi group, which has launched missile attacks on Israel and targeted commercial vessels moving through the Red Sea in solidarity with Palestinians under Israeli fire. 'As the Houthis gain popularity as leaders of the 'Arab and Muslim world's resistance' against Israel, al-Awlaki seeks to challenge their dominance by presenting himself as equally concerned about the situation in Gaza,' said Mohammed al-Basha, a Yemen expert with the Basha Report risk advisory firm. 'For a national security and foreign policy community increasingly disengaged from Yemen, this video is a clear reminder: Yemen still matters,' he said.
