US warns Middle East conflict could escalate rapidly after Houthis strike Saudi capital. Trump returns to White House as tensions mount.
The United States cautioned Sunday that fighting between Saudi Arabia and Houthis could spiral quickly after a missile attack struck Riyadh for the first time since Yemen’s civil war resumed. American officials urged citizens outside the Middle East to reconsider travel to the region as regional tensions mount.
- ▪Houthis claimed responsibility for dual strikes targeting Riyadh and Aramco oil facilities in Yanbu using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones
- ▪Explosions and fire at a fuel tank near Riyadh airport were reported; Saudi air defenses said they intercepted the weapons
- ▪US State Department warned the conflict has potential to escalate rapidly and affects global energy and shipping corridors
- ▪Trump cut short Camp David weekend to return unexpectedly to White House; no official explanation given for early return
- ▪CIA Director John Ratcliffe met Egyptian President Sisi in Cairo to discuss regional stability through diplomatic channels
- ▪Houthi offensive in recent weeks displaced over 110,000 people and left hundreds dead across Yemen
- ▪Turkey’s Foreign Minister said his country, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan discussed possible military assistance needs
- ▪US approved $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia but last week refused Saudi request for direct strikes on Houthis
- ▪Bab al-Mandab strait in Red Sea — crucial to global energy flows and shipping — now threatened by Houthi control of Yemeni coast
- ▪Yemen’s 2022 truce collapsed in July; Houthis launched major offensive against internationally recognized government this month
Source: according to media reports
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