US Warns of Escalating Conflict in Middle East Following Houthi Missile Attacks on Riyadh

For the first time since 2014, the Houthis in Yemen have launched missile attacks targeting Riyadh. The US State Department has urged American citizens outside the Middle East to reconsider their travel plans and exercise caution amid the rising tensions. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump unexpectedly cut short his stay at Camp David and returned to the White House.

Since the resumption of hostilities in Yemen, the Houthis have, for the first time, targeted Saudi Arabia’s capital city, Riyadh, with missile attacks. The US State Department, anticipating a possible intensification of conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, has called on US citizens abroad to reassess their travel.

On Saturday, President Donald Trump abruptly ended his Camp David visit to return to the White House, a decision for which no official explanation has been provided. Earlier that morning, two loud explosions were reported in Riyadh. AFP journalists observed a fire at a fuel tank of Saudi oil company Aramco near the airport. The Saudi-led coalition stated it had successfully intercepted and destroyed the ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis.

According to the coalition, the Houthis targeted civilians and civilian infrastructure in various cities across western Saudi Arabia, including the strategically important Yanbu port on the Red Sea, a key hub for Saudi oil exports. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sari claimed that, in retaliation against Saudi attacks, two military operations were undertaken using ballistic and cruise missiles as well as drones. He stated one operation targeted sensitive areas in Riyadh and the other targeted Aramco facilities in Yanbu.

A security alert was issued to Riyadh residents before 3:30 a.m., urging them to stay indoors due to potential aerial threats. Residents later reported hearing explosions in various parts of the capital. Prior to this incident, Saudi Arabia accused the Houthis of targeting Islam’s holy city of Mecca, an allegation the Houthis denied, calling it a false claim.

The Yemeni civil war began in 2014 when the Houthis seized the capital, Sana’a, and other major areas. The Saudi-led coalition intervened militarily a year later. Although ceasefires reached in 2022 were fragile, conflict escalation was reported again in July of this year.

Meanwhile, the US State Department confirmed that Washington has approved the sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets worth $2.43 billion to Saudi Arabia, aiming to help the kingdom mitigate potential threats.