The United States has warned that fighting between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Ansarallah movement could escalate rapidly after a missile attack targeted Riyadh. The strike marks a new development in the conflict and has raised concerns about a wider regional escalation.
US President Donald Trump unexpectedly returned to the White House on Saturday after cutting short a weekend at Camp David. The White House did not give a reason for his early return.
The move came as fighting between Saudi-backed forces and the Houthis entered a new phase. The Houthis control large parts of Yemen and have been fighting forces supporting the internationally recognised government.
Explosions were reported in Riyadh on Saturday. AFP journalists also reported seeing a fuel tank carrying the logo of Saudi oil giant Aramco on fire near the capital’s airport.
The US State Department warned that the conflict could escalate quickly. It also urged Americans outside the Middle East to seriously reconsider travel to and through the region.
Missile Attack Raises Regional Tensions
The latest violence follows a major Houthi offensive across Yemen. According to the UN refugee agency, more than 110,000 people have been displaced during the recent fighting.
The conflict has also disrupted Saudi oil exports and maritime traffic. Saudi Arabia is the world’s leading crude oil supplier, making any prolonged disruption a concern for global energy markets.
US news platform Axios reported that Washington rejected a recent Saudi request to strike Houthi positions. However, the United States later approved a $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.
The situation has also increased diplomatic activity across the region. CIA Director John Ratcliffe met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo on Sunday.
According to the Egyptian presidency, Sisi stressed the importance of resolving regional crises through political and diplomatic channels.
Bab al-Mandab Becomes a Major Concern
The Cairo meeting followed a visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He and Sisi called for safe navigation through the Bab al-Mandab Strait after Houthi forces seized parts of Yemen’s coastline.
Bab al-Mandab connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. The waterway is vital for global shipping and energy supplies. Its importance has increased further as the wider Middle East conflict has affected the Strait of Hormuz.
Turkey has also discussed the situation with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Ankara had discussed possible assistance with its partners.
Fidan said military support could include technical requirements if Saudi Arabia made such a request.
Saudi Arabia Says Attacks Were Intercepted
Saudi Arabia has responded to the Houthi offensive with numerous airstrikes against areas controlled by the group. However, the strikes have not stopped the Houthi advance.
The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched toward Riyadh. It also said Houthi forces had attempted to target civilians and civilian infrastructure in several western Saudi cities.
The coalition specifically mentioned Yanbu, a major Red Sea port and an important hub for Saudi oil exports. Saudi authorities said their air defences stopped the attacks.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for the strikes. Military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group carried out two operations using ballistic and cruise missiles and drones.
According to Saree, one operation targeted sites in Riyadh while another targeted Aramco facilities in Yanbu.
Yemen Becomes a Key Front in Wider Conflict
The latest attack is the first since Yemen’s civil war resumed to directly threaten the Saudi capital, according to the report. The development comes as the global economy faces pressure from the wider conflict between the United States and Iran.
Iran has also imposed a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran’s top negotiator said Iran had communicated conditions for reopening the waterway through mediators.
The wider Middle East conflict began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February. Iran responded with attacks across the region, while Iran-aligned groups including Hezbollah and the Houthis became involved.
The Yemen conflict predates the wider regional war. However, the latest Houthi offensive has turned Yemen into one of the most active fronts in the broader crisis.
A fragile truce reached in 2022 eventually collapsed. The Houthis then launched a major offensive against forces supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government.
