Riyadh on Edge as US Warns of Escalating Conflict with Houthis
RIYADH: The United States has issued a warning regarding the potential for a rapid escalation in the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi forces. This comes after a missile struck Riyadh, marking a significant development since fighting resumed in Yemen.
US President Donald Trump unexpectedly cut his weekend visit to Camp David short, returning to the White House without offering any reasons for the early return. The situation escalated further as rocket attacks from the Houthis, who control significant portions of Yemen, began posing a direct threat to Saudi Arabia, which is leading a coalition to support Yemen’s government forces.
On Saturday, loud explosions were reported in Riyadh, where journalists observed a burning fuel tank near the airport, linked to Saudi oil giant Aramco. The US State Department cautioned that the ongoing military conflict could escalate quickly and advised American citizens outside the Middle East to reevaluate their travel plans to the region.
In recent weeks, the Houthis have conducted a rapid military offensive, capturing large areas of territory in Yemen, which has resulted in hundreds of deaths and displaced over 110,000 people, according to the UN refugee agency.
Rising Tensions and Regional Response
The violence is already impacting Saudi Arabia’s crude oil exports and maritime activities. Reports suggest that the US recently denied Saudi Arabia’s request to strike at the Houthis, although it has approved a substantial sale of fighter jets to the kingdom.
In a noteworthy meeting, US CIA Director John Ratcliffe visited Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who emphasized the need for political and diplomatic resolutions to regional conflicts. This meeting follows a visit by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Cairo, where the leaders discussed ensuring safe navigation through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a vital shipping route that has gained strategic importance amidst ongoing tensions.
Turkey’s Foreign Minister condemned the Houthi attacks and mentioned discussions with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan about possible military assistance, indicating growing international concern about the conflict.
Despite the chaos, major Saudi newspapers did not report the missile attack on Riyadh. However, the Saudi-led coalition announced that it had successfully intercepted the missile and thwarted several other attacks targeting civilian infrastructure.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed that two successful military operations were conducted, aimed at sensitive sites in Riyadh and Aramco facilities in Yanbu, a crucial oil export hub.
Impact on Global Stability
This incident marks the first direct threat to the Saudi capital since Yemen’s civil war reignited, adding to the instability of the global economy, which has already been impacted by ongoing conflicts in the region.
The conflict in Yemen is part of a larger backdrop of tensions that have escalated since the onset of a wider Middle Eastern war in February, which began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Since then, various regional players, including the Houthis and Hezbollah, have engaged in hostilities.
Yemen has long been embroiled in turmoil, but recent escalations have put it at the forefront of regional violence, particularly following the collapse of a fragile truce earlier this year. The Houthis have intensified their offensive against Yemen’s recognized government, challenging the fragile stability in the region.
