The United States has warned that the ongoing military conflict in the Middle East could escalate rapidly and advised its citizens outside the region to seriously reconsider travel to and through affected areas.
The warning came as tensions intensified between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi movement in Yemen. Loud explosions were reported in the Saudi capital, with a fuel storage tank near the airport reportedly catching fire.
The recent escalation has caused hundreds of deaths and displaced more than 110,000 people. The violence has also disrupted Saudi oil exports and maritime traffic in the region.
US and Egyptian officials held talks in Cairo on Sunday, with discussions focusing on regional security and efforts to resolve ongoing crises through political and diplomatic channels.
Saudi and Egyptian officials have also stressed the importance of maintaining safe navigation through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key waterway for global shipping and energy supplies.
Regional countries have discussed possible assistance to Saudi Arabia under existing defence arrangements, particularly in areas related to military and technical requirements.
Saudi authorities said several attacks targeting cities and civilian infrastructure were intercepted by the country’s air defence systems. The reported targets included areas near Riyadh and the Red Sea port of Yanbu, an important oil export hub.
The Houthi movement claimed responsibility for missile and drone attacks targeting sensitive sites in Riyadh and energy facilities in Yanbu.
Saudi Arabia has responded with repeated airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas, while fighting has continued despite military operations.
The United States has also approved a major defence package for Saudi Arabia, including the proposed sale of advanced fighter aircraft.
The latest attacks mark a significant escalation in the Yemen conflict and have added pressure to an already unstable regional security situation.
Iran has separately conveyed conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which remains closed amid the wider Middle East conflict. The strategic waterway is vital to global oil and gas shipments.
The broader regional conflict began with US and Israeli strikes on Iran in February, followed by retaliatory attacks and wider involvement by armed groups in Lebanon and Yemen.
The renewed fighting in Yemen has intensified after a fragile truce reached in 2022 collapsed. The Houthi movement subsequently launched a major offensive against the internationally recognised Yemeni government, turning the country into a key front in the wider regional conflict.
