As the world said goodbye to a tumultuous 2015, here’s a look at some of the most important events that happened in the Gulf region.
Saudi Arabia
• In January, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman came to power following the death of King Abdullah. King Salman tours several countries after assuming power.
• In late March, Saudi Arabia led a coalition to support the legitimate Yemeni President Abdrabbu Mansour Hadi against the Houthi rebels and forces loyal to the former Yemeni president, Ali Abdullah Saleh.
• In April, King Salman announced a shake up at the highest levels of power, shifting the line of royal succession. Interior Minister Prince Muhammad Bin Naif replaced Prince Muqrin Bin Abdulaziz as the next-in-line to lead Saudi Arabia, while Defense Minister Prince Muhammad Bin Salman became deputy crown prince.
• Saudi Arabia’s 2016 budget was one of the topics which made headlines worldwide.
UAE
• Many soldiers died while on duty taking part in the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.
• UAE increased the prices of fuel and became the first Gulf state to link it to international prices.
• Emirati woman stabs to death an American citizen in an Abu Dhabi shopping mall. The woman, dubbed the “Reem Island Ghost,” who authorities said had sent money to terrorist groups – was later sentenced and executed.
Bahrain
• Bahraini authorities launched for the first time the sales of governmental Ijara sukuks (Islamic leasing bonds) worth $265m through the Manama stock exchange.
Kuwait
• In June, a deadly blast hit the Imam As-Sadiq Mosque in Kuwait City. The bombing, which was claimed by Daesh (the so-called IS) group, killed 27.
• Diplomatic relations between Kuwait and Iran came under strain after authorities discovered a warehouse full of ammunition they suspect had come from Tehran.
Qatar
• FIFA announced that Qatar’s hosting of the World Football Cup 2022 will be held in November instead of the summer.
• Qatar ended its controversial sponsorship for foreign workers and introduced a new law to regulate the movements of expatriates in and out of the country.
Oman
• In November, a hurricane dubbed “Chapala” hit parts of Oman and Yemen, resulting in massive rains.
Yemen
• Iranian-backed Houthi militias execute a coup against President Abdrabbu Mansour Hadi, resulting in Saudi Arabia forming a coalition to prop up its southern neighbor and restore the internationally-recognized government to power.
• A conference held in Geneva hosted a dialogue between Yemen’s warring parties, in a bid to restore peace to the nation. — Al Arabiya News
