31 July 2026
Iran War
Saudi Arabia announced plans to create an international defence coalition for the Red Sea. The announcement came after Saudi Arabia hosted a 43-country maritime defence meeting. Fourteen countries signed the joint statement to support the creation of the coalition, including Kuwait, Qatar, Türkiye, Pakistan, Jordan, Egypt, Sudan, Somalia and Djibouti.
Saudi forces in eastern Yemen have been seen withdrawing from their positions. It may be an indication of a new Saudi-led ground offensive on al-Bayda, a governorate in central southern Yemen which was captured by the Houthis in 2021.
In a recent survey, two-thirds of American citizens say that the Iran War has not been worthwhile. 28% of Americans approve how the Trump administration is handling the war, down from 34% last month. Trump’s overall approval rating is sitting at 33%.
Lebanon
Türkiye is interested in participating in a new security initiative for Lebanon when the 7,500-member U.N. peacekeeping mission expires at the end of the year. Last year, the UN Security Council unanimously voted to terminate the peacekeeping mission known as UNIFIL due to American and Israeli pressure. France and Italy have also voiced interest in contributing to UNIFIL’s successor, but it is unknown whether it will be under the banner of the UN or some other arrangement.
Gaza
The Board of Peace stated that Hamas has agreed to a detailed roadmap to implement the next phases of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. This would include disarming and some role for Hamas officials currently within the government. Hamas stated that Israel has to agree to the agreement before the group implements it. This would also include the phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.
Europe
Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni called for Spain to be suspended from the EU’s visa-free Schengen travel zone after thousands of migrants entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. It is estimated that approximately 49,000 migrants entered Ceuta within 24 hours. There are reports of some migrants looting businesses and clashing with police. The Schengen Area spans 29 European countries that have officially abolished controls at their common borders.
Ukraine-Russia War
Ukrainian drone strikes hit a major Lukoil-operated oil refinery and another Wildberries warehouse in the southern Volgograd region. Images on social media show black smoke rising above the city. Ukrainian drone strikes have damaged more than a dozen Wildberries warehouses over the past two weeks.
President Zelensky asked Trump to persuade Elon Musk to allow Starlink-enabled Ukrainian drone strikes inside Russia. Zelensky argues that this will help target Russian ballistic missile launchers as Ukraine faces dwindling supplies of air defence missiles, such as Patriots.
Afghanistan
Local sources in Badakhshan claim that there was an attack on the home of the Taliban’s Army Chief Fasihuddin Fitrat. There are no reports on casualties, damage or whether Fitrat was at his residence at the time of the attack.
Social Media Wires
Putin claiming that Russia is still the fourth largest economy
Wildberries in Volgograd
Migrants in Ceuta – looting businesses and clashing with police
Featured Photo: “A member of the Saudi forces stands to attention” – ahmedfarwan, Flickr, 2026
The Wires Brief is a daily breaking-news report that incorporates wire service news and social media updates. DefRep cannot verify the authenticity of social media reporters nor the accuracy of social media updates. Feature photos are altered with grayscale and cropping.