MIDDLE EAST LIVE 20 March: Energy shocks deepen as strikes hit infrastructure
The crisis in the Middle East continues, with strikes and counter-strikes reported across the region, driving civilian casualties, displacement and rising humanitarian needs. Energy infrastructure has also been affected, with reports of an oil refinery struck in Kuwait and warnings from Qatar that liquefied natural gas export capacity could fall following an attack on the Ras Laffan facility. Oil prices remain above $100 a barrel, underscoring the growing global economic impact. UN agencies warn of mounting pressure on health systems, supply chains and essential services, as they scale up emergency assistance despite access constraints. Stay with us for live updates from across the UN system. App users can follow coverage here.
The crisis in the Middle East continues, with strikes and counter-strikes reported across the region, driving civilian casualties, displacement and rising humanitarian needs. Energy infrastructure has also been affected, with reports of an oil refinery struck in Kuwait and warnings from Qatar that liquefied natural gas export capacity could fall following an attack on the Ras Laffan facility. Oil prices remain above $100 a barrel, underscoring the growing global economic impact. UN agencies warn of mounting pressure on health systems, supply chains and essential services, as they scale up emergency assistance despite access constraints. Stay with us for live updates from across the UN system. App users can follow coverage here.
© UN News (2026) — All Rights Reserved. Original source: UN News
Where next?
Browse related news topics:
Read the latest news stories:
- The Mideast Conflict Spreads—Beyond the Strait of Hormuz & towards the UN Cafeteria Friday, May 08, 2026
- Cleaning Up the Fields: Across Africa and Asia GEF is Helping Farmers Rewrite Their Pesticide Story Thursday, May 07, 2026
- Why it is Time to Rewrite Africa’s Malaria Story Thursday, May 07, 2026
- Data Gaps are Hiding the Most Excluded Children Thursday, May 07, 2026
- Bahrain and US float Security Council resolution on the Strait of Hormuz Thursday, May 07, 2026
- Oil, plastics and climate: Why higher prices could speed a materials transition Thursday, May 07, 2026
- World News in Brief: Somalia drought response, Gaza and Ukraine aid updates, human rights abuses in Tunisia Thursday, May 07, 2026
- Lebanon: Fresh strike on Beirut suburbs ‘a very alarming development’ Thursday, May 07, 2026
- Countries make progress on migration pact, but more work remains Thursday, May 07, 2026
- Hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship not ‘another COVID’, WHO says Thursday, May 07, 2026
Learn more about the related issues:
Share this
Bookmark or share this with others using some popular social bookmarking web sites:
Bluesky