GCC Mulls Joint Naval Force Against Regional Threats

The joint naval force will work towards protecting the Gulf’s commercial routes while cooperating with other international security forces to combat terrorism.

Saudi Convicts 22 On Militant Charges, Sentences One To Death -SPA

The group was convicted of embracing militant ideology, the possession of ammunition in their apartment and firing on security services during a raid on their apartment in Mecca, killing one security officer.

Bahrain Activist Detained For Seven Days – Lawyer

Zainab al-Khawaja was accused of insulting King Hamad by tearing up his picture, her lawyer said.

Saudi Arabia Sentences Outspoken Shi’ite Cleric To Death

Last year a prosecutor said he was seeking to convict Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr for “aiding terrorists” and “waging war on God”, which carry the death penalty.

Qatar Emir Tells Saudi King He Met Terms To End GCC Rift – Source

Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the UAE recalled their ambassadors to Qatar in March, accusing Doha of failing to abide by an accord not to interfere in each other’s internal affairs.

Saudi Arabia and Iran Swap Accusations As Tensions Persist

Shi’ite Muslim Iran and Sunni Saudi Arabia are enmeshed in a struggle for influence across the Middle East and they support opposing sides in political disputes across the region.

U.S., Saudi Arabia Hit Militant Targets In Syria -U.S. Military

Strikes destroyed a machine gun firing position, a militant unit, damaged a staging location and several buildings.

British Parliament To Hold Symbolic Vote On Palestine Status

The motion due for debate in Britain’s lower house of parliament will ask parliamentarians whether they believe the government should recognise the state of Palestine.

Kerry Pushes For Mideast Peace, Donors Pledges $5bn For Palestinians

Among countries offering reconstruction aid for Gaza, Qatar offered $1 billion, Kuwait and UAE promised $200 million each and Turkey pledged $200 million.

U.S. Defense Secretary Sees Long-Term Fight Against Islamic State

The U.S.-led coalition escalated air strikes on Islamic State in and around Kobani, also known as Ayn al-Arab, last week.

Egypt Has Paid Back $500m To Qatar – Central Bank Governor

Qatar has provided around $7.5 billion in loans and grants during ex-president Mohammed Mursi’s year in power.

Threat To Syrian Town Tests Patience For U.S. Strategy

The current strategy requires Western patience that grows thinner with each headline of gruesome Islamic State atrocities or videos depicting beheadings of American or British hostages.

Bahrain Activist To Stand Trial On Defamation Charge

Rajab is accused of “insulting the the Interior and Defence Ministries” through his social media account.

At Least 20 Killed In Suicide Bombing In Yemeni Capital

The attack occurred just hours after a showdown between the Houthis and President Abd-Rabbu Mansour led to the resignation of PM Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak.

US Vice President Apologises To Saudi Over His Comments On Islamic State

Biden earlier apologised to Turkey and the UAE for saying that regional US allies were partly to blame for the rise of IS in Syria.

Saudi Billionaire Prince Alwaleed Plans Meeting With Indian PM Modi

Prince Alwaleed said he was “impressed” by Narendra Modi’s speech when he was in the US.

US And Allies Have Conducted 341 Strikes In Iraq, Syria

Except for eight strikes against the Khorasan Group in Syria, all have been against Islamic State militants.

Iran Releases Journalist, American Husband Still In Jail

Yeganeh Salehi, Tehran correspondent for the UAE English language newspaper, The National, was freed last week and is said to be in good health.

UAE Says Biden Apologises For Any Implication It Supported Militants

State news agency WAM said on Sunday that Biden had telephoned Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nehayan, who is also the deputy supreme commander of the UAE armed forces, over the comments.

UAE Says Shocked By US Vice President’s Comments On Terror Financing

Joe Biden said that the Middle East had provided money and weapons to Al Nusra and Al Qaeda.

Bahrain To Detain, Question Activist Nabeel Rajab For One Week

Rajab was freed in May after two years in jail on charges of organising and participating in illegal protests.

US To Deploy 2,300 Troops To Kuwait As Part Of Crisis Unit

The unit, which will include several aircraft, has been deployed to deal with sudden contingencies, said Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby.

Gulf Arabs Demand Return Of State Authority In Yemen

GCC states would not “stand idly” in front of foreign intervention, the ministers said in a statement after the meeting late on Wednesday in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah.

Bahrain Summons Activist Over Critical Tweets – Ministry

The Ministry said that Nabeel Rajab was summoned for questioning on Wednesday “regarding tweets posted on his Twitter account that denigrated government institutions”.

Gunmen Wound Saudi Policeman In Shi’ite Muslim Stronghold

The policeman was shot and wounded by unknown assailants while stationed at a checkpoint at the entrance to the town of al-Awamiya late on Monday night.

Kuwait Revokes Citizenship Of Opposition Activist

Kuwait-born Saad Al-Ajmi, spokesman of the nationalist opposition Popular Action Movement, was one of 18 people to have their citizenship removed.

Islamic State Fight Seen Costing U.S. $2.4bn Or More Annually

Intensifying the scale of operations against the militants could send costs soaring to between $13 billion and $22 billion annually, analysts say.

Bahrain Court Revokes Citizenship Of Nine Over Arms Smuggling

BNA news agency said the court found the nine men – who are all Bahraini-born Shi’ites – guilty of smuggling weapons, including explosives, into the country in a case that dates back to 2013.

Kuwait Markets Authority Endorses UN Terror Financing Rules

The U.N. Security Council last month named six people who would be subject to asset freezes because of their links to the Islamists and threatened sanctions against those who financed the insurgents.

ISIL Threat Requires “Globalised Response” – Sheikh Mohammed

The extremist organisation “can and will” be defeated militarily, the UAE Vice-President and Prime Minister wrote in a column.