G7 Releases Emergency Oil as Houthis Target Riyadh and Ukraine Expands Russian Refinery Campaign
Weekly Rapport 40 | 2026
WEEKLY REPORTS
10/4/2026
G7 Moves to Release 100 Million Barrels as Fuel Prices Rise
The Group of Seven has agreed to release 100 million barrels of crude oil and refined fuel products from emergency reserves, responding to sharply higher energy prices and disruptions associated with conflicts in Iran, Yemen, Russia and Ukraine.
The International Energy Agency will coordinate the release over roughly four months, with particular attention to diesel supplies. The intervention follows pressure on fuel markets from damaged infrastructure, disrupted shipping and restrictions affecting Russian and Middle Eastern supplies.
Diesel has become a particular concern because of its importance to road freight, agriculture and industry. Prices have risen substantially in Europe and the United States as governments contend with reduced refinery capacity and disrupted international supply chains.
The release is intended to increase available supply and reduce pressure on prices rather than replace disrupted production permanently. Its effect will consequently depend partly on how long current supply problems persist.
President Donald Trump has rejected proposals to restrict US diesel exports. The coordinated G7 intervention instead seeks to add fuel to international markets without imposing new export controls among participating economies.
The move comes as crude oil prices remain above $100 a barrel and governments face increasing economic pressure from higher transport and energy costs.
Houthis Claim Missile and Drone Attack on Aramco Facility in Riyadh
Yemen’s Houthis said they attacked a Saudi Aramco facility in Riyadh with ballistic missiles and drones on Saturday, marking another escalation in the renewed confrontation with Saudi Arabia.
A witness reported seeing a large plume of smoke and fire near the facility. Saudi authorities and Aramco had not immediately confirmed the cause of the fire when Reuters reported the incident.
The Houthis said the operation was retaliation for Saudi-led strikes against Sanaa and other parts of Yemen.
The attack followed repeated Houthi operations against Saudi cities and energy infrastructure. The group previously claimed attacks against Aramco facilities in Yanbu, an important oil-export centre on the Red Sea, while Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted missiles directed towards the area.
Inside Yemen, government forces said they conducted hundreds of strikes against Houthi positions during an intense 24-hour period. The Yemeni army claimed that approximately 700 Houthi fighters were killed and more than 800 wounded. The figures were supplied by forces participating in the conflict and could not be independently verified.
The latest fighting follows weeks of rapidly increasing casualties. The World Health Organisation had already reported more than 800 deaths during the renewed Saudi-Houthi confrontation by late September.
The conflict is placing additional pressure on regional energy infrastructure at the same time that disruption associated with the Iran war is contributing to higher global fuel prices.
Ukraine Says It Will Increase Attacks on Russian Oil Refineries
Ukraine intends to intensify strikes against Russian oil refineries in response to what President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described as Moscow’s new strategy of expanded attacks against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
In an interview with Reuters, Zelenskyy said Ukrainian intelligence had obtained documents indicating that Russia intended to broaden its air campaign ahead of winter. He said Ukraine would answer by increasing attacks against Russian energy infrastructure while continuing to avoid deliberately targeting civilians.
Ukraine has already conducted repeated long-range drone attacks against Russian refineries, fuel depots and other energy installations. Kyiv argues that the facilities contribute directly to Russia’s ability to finance and sustain its military operations.
The announcement follows another series of Russian strikes against Ukraine. Moscow has increasingly deployed large numbers of drones alongside missiles and newer jet-powered unmanned aircraft, while repeatedly targeting Ukraine’s electricity infrastructure.
Russia also struck a second major bridge in Kyiv, adding transportation infrastructure to the sites damaged during the recent campaign.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine is developing additional domestically produced drones and missiles and strengthening its air defences. He also acknowledged continuing pressure on ammunition stocks.
The energy dimension of the war now intersects directly with wider international concerns over fuel prices. Ukrainian strikes against Russian refining capacity are taking place as the G7 releases emergency reserves and governments seek to contain the economic consequences of simultaneous disruptions in Russia and the Middle East.
Ethiopian Government Forces Advance Into Mekelle
Ethiopia’s renewed conflict has reached the Tigrayan regional capital, Mekelle, after federal forces and pro-government groups pushed north following weeks of fighting.
Tigrayan fighters and political leaders began withdrawing from the city as government forces advanced. Federal forces also regained control of Mekelle’s airport, which had previously been captured by Tigrayan forces.
The development represents one of the most significant territorial changes since fighting resumed in September.
Residents described deteriorating security as government offices and police facilities were abandoned during the withdrawal. Communications restrictions and limited media access have made battlefield reports difficult to verify independently.
The renewed conflict threatens the Pretoria Peace Agreement, which ended the 2020–22 Tigray war. That conflict killed hundreds of thousands of people according to estimates cited by international organisations and researchers, while millions were displaced or left dependent on humanitarian assistance.
Regional tensions have also increased. Ethiopia has accused Eritrea, Egypt and Sudan of supporting its opponents, allegations the countries have disputed. Ethiopia and Eritrea have expelled diplomats, further worsening relations between governments that fought on the same side during the earlier Tigray war.
Tigrayan leader Debretsion Gebremichael has indicated that his forces could return to guerrilla operations even if they lose control of major urban areas.
Brazil Prepares for First-Round Presidential Vote
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro concluded their campaigns on Saturday ahead of Sunday’s first round of the country’s presidential election.
Lula finished his campaign with a large gathering in São Paulo, while Bolsonaro participated in a motorcycle caravan and campaign events in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
The election takes place four years after Lula returned to the presidency and amid continuing political divisions following the 2022 election.
Former president Jair Bolsonaro, Flavio Bolsonaro’s father, remains a prominent presence in Brazilian politics but is not the candidate in this election.
Brazil uses a two-round presidential system. A candidate must receive more than half of valid votes to win in the first round. If nobody reaches that threshold, the two qualifying candidates proceed to a second round scheduled for 25 October.
Economic conditions are also part of the backdrop to the vote. Brazil is confronting high borrowing costs and debate over public finances while international energy prices remain elevated.
Tens of Thousands March Over Spain’s Housing Crisis
Tens of thousands of people demonstrated across Spain on Saturday as public anger over housing affordability continued to spread.
Around 50 demonstrations took place, including major gatherings in Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. Protesters called for lower rents, stronger protections against eviction and restrictions on large investment funds purchasing residential property.
The demonstrations follow the eviction of 87-year-old Maricarmen Abascal from the Madrid apartment where she had lived for decades. Her case became a national symbol of concerns surrounding rent increases and housing insecurity.
Abascal has since reached an agreement allowing her to return home, but protests have expanded beyond her individual case.
The demonstrations also followed parliament’s rejection of emergency housing measures proposed by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s government. The package included protections for vulnerable tenants from eviction until 2030, extensions to rent controls and additional regulation of short-term accommodation. Opposition parties argued that the proposals could reduce housing supply.
Authorities estimated around 70,000 people participated in Madrid, while organisers gave a substantially higher figure. Demonstrations were largely peaceful, although clashes between protesters and police were reported in Valencia.
French Student Protests Continue to Spread
France is also confronting a large protest movement, this time centred on high schools and education funding.
Students have organised demonstrations and blockades over teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms and deteriorating school infrastructure, with protests originating in poorer Paris suburbs before spreading nationally.
The movement has affected hundreds of schools and drawn tens of thousands of students and supporters into demonstrations.
French authorities have expressed increasing concern about violence surrounding some protests. The Paris police chief said the movement had become difficult to control and urged participants to demonstrate peacefully.
The protests have produced arrests, injuries and confrontations with police, while school staff have also reported being caught in disturbances.
The demonstrations add another source of pressure on the French government as it attempts to manage public spending, education resources and broader economic concerns.
Two Iranian Men Appear in Court Over Alleged UK Terror Plot
Two Iranian men have appeared in court after being charged with terrorism offences connected to an alleged plan targeting the Jewish community in Manchester.
Salam Ahmadyan and Rahman Salehi were arrested on 20 September and accused of engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorist acts. British authorities allege that the planned attack was connected to the period around Yom Kippur.
The investigation is separate from the recent security incident surrounding RAF Fairford, the Gloucestershire airbase used by US forces.
British authorities have been examining possible Iranian involvement in the Fairford case. A UK-Iranian dual national arrested as part of that investigation has since been released on bail.
The two investigations have increased attention on potential Iranian-linked security activity in Britain as the wider conflict involving Iran continues.
The defendants in the Manchester case have not been convicted, and the allegations against them remain to be determined by the courts.
Flydubai Co-Pilot Accused of Attacking Captain With Axe
Authorities investigating the extraordinary incident aboard a flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv say the aircraft’s co-pilot attacked its captain with an axe.
The confrontation caused the aircraft to enter a steep descent before other people aboard intervened.
Passengers and crew members, including off-duty pilots, helped regain control. An Israeli plumber and dentist were among those reported to have assisted during the emergency.
The aircraft, carrying 174 passengers, was eventually diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely.
The latest account provides additional detail about an incident initially reported as an attack inside the cockpit. Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances and motive.
North Korea Tests Intermediate-Range Strategic Missile
North Korea says it has successfully tested an intermediate-range strategic missile amid renewed tensions with South Korea.
Leader Kim Jong Un supervised the launch, according to North Korean state media. South Korea’s military said the missile travelled more than 700 kilometres towards waters east of the Korean Peninsula.
Pyongyang described the weapon as capable of manoeuvring during flight, a characteristic intended to make interception more difficult. Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un’s sister and a senior official in the ruling party, described it as a strategic weapon — terminology North Korea commonly uses for systems associated with its nuclear forces.
The launch follows a dispute over mine explosions near the inter-Korean border that injured South Korean soldiers. Seoul has accused North Korea of responsibility, while Pyongyang denies the allegation.
North Korea has conducted more than 10 missile tests during 2026 and has continued expanding its military relationship with Russia, including deployments of troops and supplies of weapons for the war in Ukraine.
Latvia Votes Amid Security and Cost-of-Living Concerns
Latvians voted on Saturday to elect all 100 members of the Saeima, with national security, Russia and living costs prominent during the campaign.
Latvia shares borders with both Russia and Belarus and has significantly strengthened its defence posture since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Authorities introduced additional security measures around the election amid concerns about potential cyberattacks, disinformation and other forms of foreign interference. Latvia’s State Security Service said before voting that it had not detected significant systematic foreign attempts to manipulate the election, while warning that individual disinformation efforts had been identified.
Exit polling indicated that the governing party remained a leading political force while populist parties increased their support. The fragmented result is expected to require negotiations among multiple parties before a governing coalition can be established.
China Opens Trade Investigation Ahead of EU Talks
China has opened an anti-dumping investigation involving European imports only days before officials from Beijing and the European Union are due to hold trade discussions.
The move adds another source of tension to an economic relationship already affected by disputes over electric vehicles, industrial subsidies, market access and European concerns about Chinese manufacturing overcapacity.
The EU has imposed tariffs on some Chinese electric vehicles following an investigation into government subsidies. Beijing has responded with investigations and measures affecting European products.
The latest case therefore arrives as both sides attempt to manage a growing number of trade disputes without allowing them to develop into a broader cycle of restrictions.
Bulgaria Receives Remains of Czar Samuel After a Millennium
The remains of Czar Samuel, one of the most important medieval rulers associated with Bulgarian history, have been returned to Bulgaria approximately a millennium after his death.
Samuel ruled a powerful medieval state in the Balkans around the turn of the 11th century and fought a prolonged conflict with the Byzantine Empire.
His remains were discovered in Greece in the 20th century and became the subject of decades of discussion between Sofia and Athens.
Their return carries considerable historical and symbolic significance in Bulgaria, where Samuel occupies a prominent place in national history.
The development provides a markedly different conclusion to a week otherwise dominated by war, elections, energy disruption and social unrest — connecting contemporary Balkan diplomacy with events dating back more than 1,000 years.
The week’s developments have placed energy security alongside several rapidly changing conflicts. The G7 is releasing emergency oil and fuel reserves as the Houthis claim another attack on Saudi energy infrastructure and Ukraine prepares to intensify strikes against Russian refineries. Ethiopian government forces have meanwhile advanced into Mekelle, while Brazil and Latvia have gone to the polls and major housing demonstrations have spread across Spain. Elsewhere, Britain is pursuing separate terrorism investigations, North Korea has tested another strategic missile, and the remains of a medieval Bulgarian ruler have returned home after a millennium.
The full source material for the developments covered in this report is available through the references below. Readers can follow the links to access the original reporting and read each story in full.
References:
Energy, Saudi Arabia & Yemen
• Al Jazeera — G7 to release 100 million barrels of oil and diesel, will it curb prices?
• Reuters — Yemen’s Houthis say they attacked Aramco facility in Riyadh with missiles, drones
• Al Jazeera — Yemen’s army says targets Houthis in hundreds of strikes, killing 700
Russia & Ukraine
• Reuters — Ukraine will hit Russian refineries in response to Moscow’s ‘new doctrine’ of airstrikes, Zelenskiy says
• The Guardian — Ukraine war briefing: Kyiv to increase oil refinery attacks because of Moscow’s winter strategy, Zelenskyy says
• BBC News — Russia hits second major bridge in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c83vqxzdg1yko
Ethiopia & Tigray
• France 24 — Ethiopia’s Tigray rebels abandon regional capital Mekelle as government forces enter city
Brazil
• Reuters — Brazil’s Lula, Flavio Bolsonaro wrap up campaigns ahead of first-round vote
Spain
• Sky News — Tens of thousands protest against Spain’s housing crisis following eviction of 87-year-old woman
• BBC News — ‘Anger in the streets’: Tens of thousands protest in Spain over housing crisis
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2kej47095no
France
• Reuters — Paris police chief says student protest movement out of control, urges peaceful action
United Kingdom & Security
• CNN — 2 Iranian men charged over alleged bomb plot to target UK Jewish community appear in court
https://www.cnn.com/2026/10/03/uk/iranians-court-alleged-plot-jewish-community-intl
• BBC News — UK-Iranian dual national arrested over RAF Fairford released on bail
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c6d095ygggv1o
Aviation
• BBC News — Flydubai co-pilot attacked captain with axe, UAE official says
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c61wv7lgex13o
North Korea
• Associated Press — North Korea says it test-fired an intermediate-range missile as tensions grow over mine blasts
https://apnews.com/article/south-north-korea-projectile-fired-0b5b69e919f9c9a2358f3cd3346649e7
Latvia
• Euronews — Latvia: Exit polls show ruling party leading as populist party gains momentum
• Al Jazeera — Latvia votes for new parliament against backdrop of perceived Russia threat
China & the European Union
• Euronews — China opens anti-dumping probe into EU days before Beijing trade talks
Bulgaria & History
• Al Jazeera — Remains of Bulgaria’s Czar Samuel return ‘home’ after 1,000 years
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