Saudi Arabia says it struck Iran-backed groups in Iraq with US coordination
Saudi Arabia says it has carried out coordinated strikes with US forces against Iran-backed groups in Iraq following a wave of drone attacks targeting the kingdom’s oil infrastructure
Saudi Arabia said on Wednesday that its armed forces, in coordination with US Central Command (CENTCOM), carried out “targeted strikes” against Iran-backed groups in Iraq that it said were responsible for drone attacks on the kingdom’s oil facilities.
CENTCOM said the operation followed more than 30 drone attacks over the previous 72 hours that it said were “directed by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) against US forces and Saudi energy infrastructure”.
The Saudi Defence Ministry said the strikes targeted groups in Iraq that it accused of launching attacks on oil facilities in the kingdom’s Eastern Province. It said Riyadh was not seeking escalation but would respond to any “aggression”.
Iran denied involvement in attacks on Saudi targets. An unnamed military official, quoted by state broadcaster IRIB, said on Wednesday that attributing attacks on US interests in the region to Iran was a “major miscalculation”.
The announcement of the US-Saudi strikes came a few hours after Saudi Arabia said its air defences intercepted and destroyed several drones launched from Iraq. It was the second such attack in less than two days.
Saudi defence ministry spokesperson Turki al-Malki said on Tuesday the drones were launched by what he described as Iran-backed groups in Iraq, adding Riyadh reserved the right to respond “at the appropriate time and place”.
Two members of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces were wounded when an air strike targeted the group’s command headquarters in the southern city of Basra, the force’s local directorate said on Wednesday, according to the Iraqi news agency INA.
The PMF, known in Arabic as Hashd al-Shaabi, is an umbrella group of mostly Shi’ite paramilitary factions that was formally integrated into Iraq’s state security forces and includes several groups aligned with Iran.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi ordered an investigation on Monday into the drone attacks, saying Iraq would not allow its territory to be used to launch attacks against neighbours.
Dubai’s August calendar is here: Star-studded concerts, dining deals await
With indoor venues offering comfortable summer escapes and attractions across the city hosting activities for all age groups, August is expected to be another vibrant month for Dubai’s tourism and retail
Dubai is set to offer residents and visitors a packed calendar of experiences throughout August, with a diverse programme spanning entertainment, dining, retail, sports and family-friendly activities.
From the ongoing Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) celebrations to international music performances, comedy shows, indoor fitness events and culinary experiences, Dubai Calendar’s August lineup showcases the city’s ability to deliver year-round experiences for every audience.
With indoor venues offering comfortable summer escapes and attractions across the city hosting activities for all age groups, August is expected to be another vibrant month for Dubai’s tourism, retail and entertainment sectors.
Retail and dining experiences take centre stage
Dubai Summer Surprises continues to drive summer activity across the city, offering residents and visitors opportunities to enjoy exclusive shopping deals, entertainment programmes and family experiences.
Dubai Summer Surprises Date: July 2– August 30, 2026 Location: Citywide
The annual summer celebration features retail promotions, raffle draws, hotel and attraction offers, and activities designed for families. The event continues to support Dubai’s retail and hospitality sectors by encouraging visitors to explore shopping destinations and leisure attractions throughout the summer season.
Food lovers can also enjoy specially curated dining experiences through Summer Restaurant Week, which runs until 2 August.
Summer Restaurant Week Date: Until August 2, 2026 Location: Citywide
The initiative brings together more than 50 casual and family-friendly restaurants, offering specially prepared menus featuring cuisines from around the world. Reservations are available through the Careem app via Careem DineOut.
Sports events bring indoor fitness opportunities
Dubai’s August calendar also features a strong lineup of sporting activities, allowing residents to stay active despite the summer temperatures.
Ibn Battuta Mall Indoor Run Series 3/5 Date: August 2, 2026 Location: Ibn Battuta Mall
The third event of the Ibn Battuta Mall Indoor Run Series will welcome runners of different abilities, with participants able to choose from 1km, 2.5km, 5km and 10km routes. Starting at 7:00am, the community-focused event aims to encourage fitness participation among beginners, experienced runners and families.
Dubai Sports World Date: Until August 25, 2026 Location: Dubai World Trade Centre
Dubai Sports World continues to provide an indoor destination for sports enthusiasts, featuring facilities for football, basketball, cricket, badminton, tennis and other activities. Visitors can book spaces for casual games or join sports academies to develop their skills.
Dubai Mallathon 2026 Date: Until September 15, 2026 Location: Citywide (participating malls)
The Dubai Mallathon transforms participating malls into indoor walking and running spaces, offering accessible fitness options for people of all ages. Participants can complete distances ranging from 2.5km to 10km at their own pace.
Endurance Games Date: August 30, 2026 Location: Hamdan Sports Complex
Making its debut this August, Endurance Games will bring together athletes and fitness enthusiasts for an indoor multisport competition featuring aquabike, aquathlon, triathlon, duathlon and the EndureX challenge.
Image credit: Supplied
Live entertainment lineup features regional and international talent
Dubai’s entertainment calendar will take centre stage in August with performances from leading musicians, comedians and cultural showcases.
The month begins with Beat The Heat DXB Season 5 ft Rasha Rizk on August 1, at Dubai World Trade Centre. The acclaimed Syrian singer will perform a selection of memorable songs, including works that have become popular across generations.
Comedy fans can enjoy The Laughter Factory from August 7–15, at multiple venues across Dubai. The show features international and regional comedians, including Ricky Balshaw, Tevin Everett, Abz Ali, Miqdaad Dohadwala and Andrea Brooks.
Arabic music will also feature prominently with A Night of Love and Tears on 8 August, bringing together Egyptian singer Ramy Gamal and Lebanese artist Wael Jassar for an evening of contemporary Arabic performances.
The Beat The Heat DXB series continues throughout the month with performances from artists including Al Shami, Marwan Moussa, Hleem, Sultan Al Murshed, Talal Sam, Aziz Maraka, Big Sam and Leg_cy.
Other major entertainment highlights include Thaalam Beats at Coca-Cola Arena, featuring Benny Dayal, Usha Uthup and Thaikkudam Bridge; Lucky Ali Live, celebrating the Indian singer-songwriter’s iconic hits; and JPEX Entertainment Exhibition, which showcases Japanese culture through anime, gaming, workshops and interactive experiences.
Image credit: Supplied
Comedy, culture and music close out the month
The final weeks of August will continue with a variety of performances across Dubai.
Indian comedian Sunil Grover will bring his popular comedy and character-based performances to Coca-Cola Arena on 21 August, while Syrian comedian Rami Jbr will make his Dubai debut with a stand-up performance on 28 August.
Atul Khatri will return to Dubai on August 29 with his observational comedy show at Emirates Theatre, while Kuwait’s Miami Band will present Miami Show 3.0 at Coca-Cola Arena, celebrating decades of regional musical influence.
With its combination of entertainment, sports, dining and lifestyle experiences, Dubai’s August calendar reinforces the city’s position as a leading global destination for events and leisure activities throughout the year.
More time, more deals: Sharjah Summer Promotions 2026 gets an extension
The campaign continues to offer shoppers the opportunity to win more than 700 prizes, with five digital prize draws taking place across four phases before the campaign concludes
The Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), in collaboration with the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), has extended the Sharjah Summer Promotions 2026 campaign until Tuesday, September 15, giving residents and visitors additional time to take advantage of exclusive shopping offers, entertainment activities and prize draws.
The extension forms part of Sharjah’s ongoing efforts to enrich visitor experiences while strengthening the emirate’s reputation as a leading destination for families, shopping and tourism throughout the year, a WAM report said.
Participating shopping centres, including City Centre Al Zahia, Oasis Mall, Mega Mall, Al Suyoh Mall, Sahara Centre, Sharjah Central Mall, Kalba Mall, Al Rahmania Mall and 06 Mall, will continue hosting a range of entertainment activities. These include children’s workshops, appearances by the campaign mascot Shamsa, as well as Shamsa Mobile Store pop-ups featuring interactive experiences and exclusive promotional offers.
Officials highlight tourism and economic benefits
Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, said the extension reflects the authority’s commitment to reinforcing Sharjah’s position as a year-round destination by bringing together tourism, retail, hospitality and entertainment under one initiative.
He said, “Through our continued collaboration with the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and our public and private sector partners, we are expanding visitor experiences, stimulating tourism and commercial activity, and reinforcing the emirate’s competitiveness as a diverse and sustainable tourism destination.”
Al Midfa added that this year’s campaign delivers a comprehensive programme featuring retail promotions, hospitality packages, tourism offers, family-focused activities and prize draws. He said the initiative is designed to encourage longer visitor stays, increase spending and showcase Sharjah’s unique blend of tourism, culture, leisure and entertainment.
More than 700 prizes up for grabs
The campaign continues to offer shoppers the opportunity to win more than 700 prizes, with five digital prize draws taking place across four phases before the campaign concludes. A total of 51 major prizes will be awarded, including a car provided by Al Ghandi Auto, 30 gold bars weighing 10 grams each, shopping vouchers and a variety of prizes from participating shopping centres.
Customers can enter the prize draws by shopping at participating malls and retail outlets or by booking stays at participating hotels through offers available on the Sharjah Summer Promotions website. The campaign’s final prize draw is scheduled to take place at 06 Mall on September 15.
Mohammed Ahmed Amin Al-Awadi, Director-General of the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the extension reflects the strong partnership between SCCI and SCTDA in delivering an integrated summer programme that supports sustainable growth across Sharjah’s retail and commercial sectors.
He said the initiative enhances the competitiveness of shopping centres, strengthens consumer confidence and creates greater economic value for businesses. Al-Awadi added that combining retail offers with family entertainment, digital prize draws and the Shamsa mascot helps boost community engagement while delivering a more enjoyable visitor experience.
The campaign brings together hotels, shopping centres, retailers, restaurants, cafés, tour operators and entertainment destinations across the emirate, supporting tourism and commercial activity while reinforcing Sharjah’s position as a leading year-round destination for families and visitors.
Dubai just expanded e-bike deliveries to seven more areas: Is yours on the list?
The initiative is designed to promote sustainable transport solutions, reduce operating costs, and enhance delivery services while aligning with global best practices
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has expanded its e-bike delivery service to seven additional areas across the emirate following the success of a pilot programme launched in February that initially covered four locations.
The newly added service areas are Al Twar 1, Al Twar 2, Al Qusais 1, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Boulevard, Dubai Media City, Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT), and Dubai Marina. They join the original coverage areas of Al Karama, Al Hamriya, Umm Hurair, and Al Mankhool, a WAM report said.
The expansion forms part of Dubai’s Commercial and Logistics Land Transport Strategy 2030 and the First and Last-Mile Strategy. The initiative is designed to promote sustainable transport solutions, reduce operating costs, and enhance delivery services while aligning with global best practices and the approved roadmap covering security and safety standards for delivery operations.
Focus on safety, governance and growing demand
According to the RTA, the wider rollout follows the implementation of comprehensive measures governing delivery operations, including licensing requirements and operational procedures. The framework also includes governance measures, updates to regulations covering quality and licensing for delivery service companies, as well as enhanced monitoring and compliance mechanisms.
The authority said the seven new locations were selected based on several criteria, including the availability of dedicated infrastructure and cycling tracks, the characteristics of each area, proximity to restaurants and retail outlets, increasing demand from businesses, and the growing number of soft mobility users.
The expansion is being carried out in partnership with leading private-sector operators under agreements that outline operating procedures, compliance requirements and public safety standards.
RTA reported that the project’s trial phase delivered strong results, with customer satisfaction reaching approximately 99 per cent, while more than 90 per cent of delivery riders expressed satisfaction with the service. The authority also said it worked closely with its partners to develop regulatory solutions addressing operational challenges identified during the pilot.
Officials added that RTA has established an integrated framework for Dubai’s delivery sector to strengthen governance and improve service standards as demand for delivery services continues to rise across the emirate. The framework also addresses the growing number of delivery bikes operating on Dubai’s roads, supporting the safe and efficient expansion of the sector.
All you need to know: Middle East tensions ease — but the region remains on edge
After nearly two weeks of escalating military confrontation, direct hostilities between the US and Iran have paused—but the Middle East remains on edge as Houthi attacks intensify
A fragile pause in direct military confrontation between the US and Iran is holding after 13 consecutive days of US strikes and Iranian retaliation, but the Middle East remains highly volatile as proxy attacks continue, shipping routes remain under pressure, and governments remain on high alert.
Here’s everything you need to know.
A pause in US-Iran hostilities
The most significant development is that the US and Iran have now gone four consecutive days without launching direct attacks against one another after President Donald Trump ordered a halt to US military strikes on July 24.
The White House has said Trump is giving diplomacy “some space”, although officials have stressed that military options remain available should Iran resume attacks on international shipping or US allies.
Iran has meanwhile confirmed it has suspended retaliatory operations against US military assets across the region following Washington’s decision to pause strikes. However, Tehran insists there are currently no direct or indirect negotiations taking place with the United States, despite acknowledging that intermediaries continue relaying messages between the two sides.
Iran says diplomacy remains possible in principle but maintains it will not engage while what it describes as US “aggression” continues.
Proxy conflict continues
While direct US-Iran military action has paused, the wider regional conflict has not.
The Iran-aligned Houthi movement has intensified attacks against Saudi Arabia after announcing last week a blockade on Saudi shipping in the Red Sea.
On Monday, Saudi Arabia said its air defences intercepted multiple drones targeting oil facilities in the Eastern Province and the capital Riyadh before they reached their targets. No casualties or damage were reported.
Hours later, the Houthis claimed responsibility, saying they had targeted infrastructure involved in transporting crude oil from eastern Saudi Arabia to Yanbu on the Red Sea coast. The group said the attacks were retaliation for what it described as Saudi drone operations inside Yemen.
The latest strikes follow Houthi claims last week that they had attacked Saudi Aramco facilities in Jizan and Yanbu, escalating pressure on the kingdom’s energy infrastructure.
Shipping remains under severe pressure
The maritime picture remains one of the biggest concerns for global markets.
Although the Strait of Hormuz remains open, vessel traffic continues to operate below normal levels after weeks of attacks and disruption.
At the same time, shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait has fallen sharply following repeated Houthi attacks on commercial vessels.
According to Kpler shipping data, just 11 commodity vessels transited the Bab el-Mandeb on July 26 — the lowest daily total in months — including seven oil tankers, only three of which entered the Red Sea.
The disruption has prompted Saudi Arabia to reroute increasing volumes of crude exports via the Suez Canal, while freight costs, insurance premiums and physical crude prices have all risen in response to the heightened security risks.
Saudi Arabia and Jordan remain on high alert
Regional governments continue strengthening their defences despite the pause in direct fighting.
Saudi Arabia intercepted drones targeting energy infrastructure, while Jordan announced on July 27 that its air force had shot down two drones entering the kingdom’s airspace.
Jordan has also begun testing its national emergency mobile alert system across several governorates to improve civil preparedness should regional hostilities escalate again.
Neither country reported casualties or damage.
Iraq launches investigation
Saudi Arabia said the drones intercepted over its territory originated from Iraq and blamed Iran-backed militias operating there.
Baghdad has not confirmed those allegations but has launched an investigation, saying authorities will examine the available evidence and pursue legal action against anyone found responsible.
The incident underscores the increasingly prominent role of non-state armed groups in the regional conflict.
Gold prices climbed on Monday as a pause in strikes between US and Iranian forces dragged crude oil prices lower, helping ease inflation concerns and worries about the risk of higher interest rates in a week where policymakers at the Fed are due to meet.
Spot gold gained 0.9 per cent to $4,089.03 per ounce by 0805 GMT, while US gold futures for August delivery rose 0.5 per cent to $4,090.80.
“Precious metals have started the week on the front foot, helped by a pause in Middle East hostilities. Oil has slumped and both the dollar and US Treasury yields have eased,” said independent analyst Ross Norman.
The US dollar index dropped 0.2 per cent, making greenback-priced bullion more affordable for buyers overseas.
On Sunday Iran said it will halt its own attacks as long as the US does the same, a senior Iranian official told Reuters.
The development comes as Washington paused its bombing campaign after President Donald Trump’s advisers told him they were running out of targets and expressed worries about depleting the US arsenal.
Oil prices tumbled more than 6 per cent on Monday, raising hopes of a diplomatic solution to de-escalate the conflict surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.
Elevated energy prices bolster inflation concerns and raise expectations of higher-for-longer interest rates. While gold is seen as a hedge against inflation, the yellow metal suffers in a high-interest rate environment due to its non-yielding characteristic.
Investors are now eyeing the Fed’s interest-rate decision meeting on Wednesday, where about 66 per cent of market participants expect rates to be left unchanged.
“Gold is flashing cautiously positive signals: one eye on Iran, the other on the Fed. If Warsh pushes back against the roughly two hikes now embedded in the curve, that could be quite supportive for gold,” Norman said.
Traders are pricing in about a 77 per cent chance of a rate-hike in September, according to the CME FedWatch Tool.
