Arab Desk

The Arab Desk leads The Eastern Herald's reporting on the Middle East and North Africa.

Satellite view of Mayun Island and Bab el-Mandeb Strait where Houthi forces seized control in September 2026

Houthis Seize Mayun Island Inside Bab el-Mandeb as Saudi Arabia Shuts Oil Pipeline

Houthi forces seized Mayun Island, the only island inside the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, on Friday, marking the group's first permanent physical position at a chokepoint carrying a tenth of world trade. Saudi

September 13, 2026

by Arab Desk

Directors and audience at the NAZA documentary premiere at Venice Film Festival 2026

NAZA Wins Venice Jury Prize: Gaza’s Killing Machine Documented by Its Own Operators

A documentary built on testimony from 24 Israeli military insiders describing the systematic killing of Palestinian civilians won the Special Jury Prize at the 83rd Venice Film Festival — the first institutional recognition of what the film's record ovation had

September 13, 2026

by Arab Desk

Smoke rising near a Saudi oil pipeline after drone attacks attributed to Iraq-based militants amid the Iran war

Trump Blames Iran for Saudi Pipeline Attack as Houthis Seize Bab al-Mandab Strait

Saudi Arabia shut down its East-West Pipeline on Saturday after drone strikes from Iraqi territory, as

Blue Horizon: Police Simulator announced for PC and PlayStation 5

A Plus Studio has announced Blue Horizon, a police simulator for PC and PlayStation 5, developed

The Houthi rebels announce the hitting of an “important target” at a Saudi airport

Al Masirah TV, affiliated with the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, said the group had hit a “significant target” at Saudi Arabia’s Abha airport on Saturday. The channel quoted a Houthi military spokesman as

February 14, 2021