Armed conflicts and attacks
Yemeni Civil War (2015–present), Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen
Government forces and their allies, including troops from a Saudi Arabian-led coalition, capture the town of Sirwah, the last outpost of Houthi militants in the key Marib province. (The Australian)
Yemeni military forces backed by Houthi militants reportedly destroy a Saudi warship off the coast of Yemen in the strategic Bab-el-Mandeb strait. (Press TV) (Fars News) (Independent)
Syrian Civil War, Foreign involvement in the Syrian Civil War
Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab states are reportedly 'stepping up' arms supplies to at least three Syrian rebel groups in response to the recent Russian intervention in the civil war. (BBC)
Syrian troops and allied militia backed by a fresh wave of Russian airstrikes and naval cruise missiles attacked rebel forces as the government extended an offensive to recapture territory in central and northwestern Syria. (Reuters) (The Moscow Times)
At least four Russian cruise missiles fired at Syria from the Caspian Sea landed in Iran, according to US officials. Damage or casualties are not yet known. Russia and Iran rejected these reports. (CNN) (Reuters)
Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says NATO will double its high-readiness force to 40,000, and may send ground troops to Turkey as a result of the escalation of Russian military activities in Syria, including violations of Turkish airspace. (Irish Times) (Hindustan Times)
Arts and culture
Belarusian author and journalist Svetlana Alexievich wins the 2015 Nobel Prize in Literature. (The Guardian)