WASHINGTON: The United States has warned that the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Ansarallah could escalate rapidly after a missile attack targeted Riyadh for the first time since fighting resumed.
US President Donald Trump unexpectedly ended his weekend stay at Camp David, a presidential retreat in rural Maryland, and returned to the White House on Saturday.
The White House did not provide a reason for Trump’s early return, which came as tensions reached a new level in the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, who control large parts of Yemen and are engaged in fighting against government forces backed by a Saudi-led coalition.
Loud explosions were reported in the Saudi capital on Saturday. AFP journalists reported seeing a fuel tank carrying the logo of Saudi oil giant Aramco on fire near Riyadh’s airport.
“The military conflict has the potential to escalate rapidly,” the US State Department said, while advising American citizens outside the Middle East to “seriously reconsider travel to and through the region”.
The latest escalation follows weeks of Houthi military advances across parts of Yemen. The offensive has reportedly killed hundreds of people and displaced more than 110,000, according to the UN refugee agency.