The United States has warned that fighting between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi movement could escalate rapidly after a missile was launched towards Riyadh in the latest escalation of the Yemen conflict. The US State Department urged Americans outside the Middle East to “seriously reconsider travel to and through the region”, citing the risk of a rapid deterioration in the security situation. The warning followed Saturday’s attacks, when the Houthis claimed they had targeted what they called sensitive sites in Riyadh with missiles and drones. They also claimed an attack on an Aramco facility in Yanbu, a major Saudi oil-export hub on the Red Sea. Saudi authorities said their air defences intercepted a ballistic missile launched towards Riyadh and thwarted other attacks targeting several locations. Flames and a large plume of smoke were seen near the Saudi capital’s airport. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed the group had carried out two operations targeting Riyadh and Yanbu. The claims about specific damage and targets could not be independently verified. Haramain Defence Pakistan religious leaders pledge support for Saudi Arabia The attacks represent a significant escalation after the Houthis intensified their campaign against Saudi Arabia in recent weeks. The group has also threatened shipping around the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The United States has so far avoided direct military intervention against the Houthis in the latest escalation. Washington has instead provided Saudi Arabia with intelligence and targeting assistance, according to Reuters. The security situation has also tested the recently signed Makkah Joint Defence Agreement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Ankara had discussed Saudi Arabia’s military requirements with Riyadh and Pakistan. “There would be no problem in meeting this demand either,” Fidan said, referring to possible technical military assistance. Pakistan has separately reaffirmed its commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security, although Islamabad has said that no military response to the Houthi attacks was under discussion at that stage. The escalation has also raised concerns over global energy supplies. Yanbu is a key outlet for Saudi oil exports, while the Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a major shipping route connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. The developments come against the backdrop of the wider conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States. Iran has also imposed restrictions on traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, another major energy route. The renewed fighting in Yemen has displaced tens of thousands of people and added another front to the wider regional crisis. The Houthis have expanded their territorial control and advanced towards strategically important areas along Yemen’s Red Sea coast. The United Nations and several governments have called for restraint as attacks on civilian and energy infrastructure increase. Post navigation Houthi Warning Group threatens Pakistan and Türkiye over possible Yemen intervention
