Thursday 1 October 2026 08:00 UTC
US Ends 12-Year Military Mission Against Islamic State in Iraq
The US and its partners formally ended the 12-year military mission against Islamic State in Iraq and withdrew about 1,500 personnel from Erbil Air Base. Iraqi forces, including the Kurdish Peshmerga, now assume responsibility for remaining threats. The US presence will shift to a bilateral defence relationship with Iraq.
A renewed Russian assault involving nearly 190 drones and missiles targeted energy infrastructure in Kyiv and other regions. Ukraine said attacks disrupted electricity and water, damaged homes and killed seven people, including a child. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said 24 people were injured and asked Norway and Finland for stronger air defences and help keeping Ukraine’s F-16 fleet operational. Ukraine also said Operation Vivaldi had regained more than 125 square kilometres around Lyman.
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Middle Eastern crude exports have largely recovered despite disruption around the Strait of Hormuz. JPMorgan estimated regional exports at 17.5 million barrels a day, or 98% of prewar levels, with 40% of September shipments bypassing the strait. Goldman Sachs estimated wider Gulf exports at 23.3 million barrels a day. But diesel and jet-fuel exports remained near half their normal level, leaving refined-fuel supplies constrained.
A FlyDubai flight carrying about 174 people diverted safely to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a cockpit fight during its journey from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Israeli officials said the Omani co-pilot stabbed the captain and tried to seize control; FlyDubai confirmed a fight between the pilots but not that account. Passengers and off-duty crew helped restrain the co-pilot. The aircraft briefly transmitted a hijacking code and descended more than 14,000 feet in 37 seconds before landing. Both pilots were taken to hospital.