US Warns of Rapid Middle East Escalation After Houthi Missile Attack on Riyadh

The United States has warned that the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran-backed Houthi forces could “escalate rapidly” after a ballistic missile was launched towards Riyadh, marking a new escalation in the fighting.

US President Donald Trump cut short a weekend at Camp David and returned unexpectedly to the White House on Saturday. The White House did not provide an explanation for his early return.

The development came as the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis reached a new threshold. The Houthis control large parts of Yemen and have been fighting government forces backed by a Saudi-led coalition.

Two loud explosions were heard in Riyadh on Saturday, while AFP journalists reported seeing a fuel tank bearing the logo of Saudi oil giant Aramco on fire near the capital’s airport.

“This military conflict has the potential to escalate rapidly,” the US State Department warned, urging American citizens outside the Middle East to “seriously reconsider travel to and through the region”.

The Houthis’ recent offensive across parts of Yemen has reportedly killed hundreds of people and displaced more than 110,000, according to the United Nations.

Missile intercepted

The Riyadh-led coalition said on Saturday evening that a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis towards the Saudi capital had been “successfully intercepted and destroyed”.

The coalition said the Houthis had also attempted to target civilians and civilian infrastructure in several western Saudi cities, including Yanbu, a major Red Sea port and an important hub for Saudi oil exports. It said the attacks had been thwarted by Saudi air defences.

Saudi Arabia has responded with dozens of airstrikes against Houthi-held areas, but the strikes have not stopped the group’s advance.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the group had carried out “two successful military operations” involving ballistic and cruise missiles and drones in response to recent Saudi attacks.

According to Saree, one operation targeted “sensitive sites” in Riyadh, while the second targeted Aramco facilities in Yanbu.

Saudi authorities had earlier issued an overnight air raid alert for Riyadh, urging residents to remain indoors.

Hours after the alert, residents told AFP they heard what appeared to be a series of explosions across parts of the capital.

Conflict reaches Riyadh

The latest attacks marked the first time since the resumption of Yemen’s civil war that strikes had threatened the Saudi capital, adding pressure to a region already affected by the wider conflict between the United States and Iran.

A message received by Riyadh residents shortly before 3am warned that the area was under a “hostile aerial threat” and instructed people to stay indoors.

AFP journalists subsequently heard two explosions before Saudi Civil Defence lifted the alert around half an hour later.

“I heard the alarm, then my windows shook,” one Riyadh resident told AFP, while another described the incident as “terrifying”.

The latest escalation has also raised concerns over Saudi Arabia’s oil exports and maritime traffic, with the kingdom remaining one of the world’s major crude oil suppliers.