A file photo of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation building in Kuwait.
Doha, Qatar: Gulf countries are observing Eid Al Fitr on Friday, March 20, 2026, under heightened security measures as regional tensions continue to escalate. Authorities have restricted outdoor prayers and public celebrations in several countries as a precaution.
In Kuwait, officials announced the shutdown of the Al Ahmadi refinery following a drone attack earlier today. No injuries have been reported.
Meanwhile, QatarEnergy expects the damage to its Ras Laffan Industrial City caused by missile strikes, which occurred on Wednesday (March 18, 2026), and in the early hours of yesterday (March 19, 2026) to cost about $20bn a year in lost revenue and to take up to five years to repair, impacting supply to markets in Europe and Asia.
Stay tuned for more live updates.
12:34pm Doha Time
Qatar's Ministry of Interior cautions public on AI-generated videos
The Ministry of Interior urged the public to verify information and avoid the circulation or publishing of any false AI-generated videos, or news from unreliable sources via social media platforms using artificial intelligence techniques, or unreliable news via social media. The Ministry, in a statement on X, said that the spread of false rumors or misleading content constitutes a legal violation that warrants accountability.
12:01pm Doha Time
This war must stop immediately: Prime Minister
Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in the region, warning that continued aggression risks plunging the Middle East into a broader and more dangerous conflict.
He called on Iran to comply with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, which clearly require an end to such attacks and to the policy of escalating regional tensions.
Full report here
10:07am Doha Time
KPC says Mina Al-Ahmadi Refinery came under drone attack
Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) said today that Mina Al-Ahmadi Refinery came under drone attacks early Friday. The attacks resulted in a fire in several units within the refinery but caused no injuries, according to preliminary assessments, the company said in a statement. It added that emergency response and firefighting teams were immediately deployed to the site to contain the fire. Some refinery units were shut down as a precautionary measure.
9:30am Doha Time
EU decries Iranian attacks on energy facilities in Qatar
The European Union has condemned Iranian attacks on energy facilities in Qatar, warning that such actions risk plunging the region into further chaos. Speaking on the sidelines of a European Council meeting in Brussels on Wednesday, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said the attacks exacerbate ongoing military conflicts in the region. Read more
