• The Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen announced, in a statement published by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) at midday today, that it is currently dealing with a threat from drones and cruise missiles targeting the Kingdom, while it intercepted at dawn a Houthi ballistic missile heading towards Khamis Mushait. (Source: SPA / CNN Arabic). Sudanese angle: King Khalid Airport in Riyadh is the main transit gateway for Sudanese coming from Khartoum and Port Sudan, and airport safety and passenger security are a direct concern for thousands of Sudanese families. • The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation today extended the suspension of operational activities at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh to complete safety checks, after Sunday's attack which killed a Pakistani resident and injured 11 people, and Saturday's attack which left 13 dead and hundreds injured. (Source: SPA / Reuters). Sudanese angle: Cirium data expects about 60% of the airport's flights today to be cancelled after 99.7% were cancelled yesterday — meaning direct disruption to Sudanese travel between the Kingdom and home and via transit. • Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said today, during the World Petroleum Congress in Riyadh, that the Kingdom looks to raise its oil export capacity via pipelines to 10 million barrels per day by repurposing a local gas pipeline. (Source: Reuters). Sudanese angle: Sudan is a net importer of petroleum derivatives, and stability of Gulf supplies eases pressure on fuel and electricity prices internally. • The State of Qatar participated in the 25th World Petroleum Congress in Riyadh (October 11-15), represented by Minister of State for Energy Affairs Saad bin Sherida Al-Kaabi. (Source: Qatar News Agency (QNA)). Sudanese angle: The Gulf energy file is of direct concern to Sudan, at a time when the country seeks to rehabilitate its war-damaged oil sector. • The UAE Cabinet approved the general budget for 2027 with expenditures of 90.1 billion dirhams (about 24.53 billion dollars), and the Union budget 2027-2029 totalling 292.5 billion dirhams, with priority for education, health and housing. (Source: Reuters / WAM). Sudanese angle: The UAE is one of the most important destinations for Sudanese labour, and the stability of its economy is directly reflected in expatriates' jobs and their remittances to their families in Sudan. • The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned, according to WAM, the continued Houthi attacks on King Khalid International Airport, affirming full solidarity with Saudi Arabia. In parallel, Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE President, called for reviving joint Gulf work "especially in security and defence." (Source: WAM / Reuters). Sudanese angle: Unity of the Gulf security ranks is connected to the security of the Red Sea neighbouring Sudan, serving navigation and trade via Port Sudan port. • The Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed today, according to KUNA, its strong condemnation of the continued Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, the latest of which was targeting King Khalid Airport in Riyadh and King Fahd Airport in Dammam yesterday, Sunday, renewing Kuwait's absolute solidarity with the Kingdom. (Source: KUNA). Sudanese angle: The Sudanese community in Kuwait, like other residents, is affected by any escalation affecting civilian airports and air navigation in the region. • Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan received a phone call from his Bahraini counterpart Abdullatif Al-Zayani, who conveyed Bahrain's condolences for the victims of King Khalid Airport and affirmed full solidarity with the Kingdom. (Source: SPA). Sudanese angle: Comprehensive Gulf solidarity around the Kingdom's security contributes to the stability of the residence and work environment for millions of Sudanese residing in Saudi Arabia. • Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, received today at the Republican Palace in Khartoum the credentials of the new Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman, Yaqoub bin Badr Al-Ruqaishi, who conveyed the greetings of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and his wishes for security and stability for Sudan. (Source: Oman News Agency). Sudanese angle: A direct diplomatic step that strengthens the Gulf presence in Khartoum and opens new bilateral cooperation tracks. • Muscat has been hosting since yesterday the eighth meeting of the Air Safety Enhancement Implementation Team and meetings of national coordinators for continuous monitoring (October 11-13) in cooperation with the International Civil Aviation Organization, with the participation of representatives from Sudan and 12 other countries. (Source: Oman News Agency). Sudanese angle: Sudan's participation in regional aviation safety coordination is an important step to reintegrate its civil aviation into the region's system after years of war. • The Kuwait Stock Exchange closed today's trading with its general index rising 10.23 points (+0.12%) at 8649.53 points, while Gulf markets were mixed: Doha +1.15% and Dubai +0.33% against declines in Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Muscat and Saudi Arabia with escalating tensions. (Source: KUNA / Middle East markets brief). Sudanese angle: The performance of Gulf economies determines the rhythm of the labour market and remittances — the vital resource for millions of Sudanese families.
— Editorial Team