This may be a bit late and after the fact for the OP, but one possible reason for the odd pattern in award availability may be the Eid holidays, which just got over (Aug. 17-21).

In the UAE and most of the middle-east, there is a huge rush of travel during the Eid holidays. The airlines and hotels hike fares during this period and availability of paid seats is pretty low, so its possible that the award seats are also either already taken way in advance, or their availability has been limited by the airline.