The United States has warned of rising tensions in the Middle East and escalating conflicts between Saudi Arabia and Iranian-backed Houthis. This warning follows a missile attack on Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, which occurred for the first time since the resumption of the Yemen war.
Sudden Return of the President of the United States
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, unexpectedly returned to the White House from Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland, on Saturday. This return was prompted by crossing a new threshold in the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. The Houthis, who control large parts of Yemen, are at war with government forces supported by a coalition led by Saudi Arabia.
Read more: Developments in Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb and Their Impact on Regional Equations
On Saturday, loud explosions were heard in Riyadh, where reporters observed a fuel tank with the logo of the Aramco oil company burning near the airport.
Warning from the U.S. State Department
The U.S. State Department stated in a release: "This military conflict has the potential for rapid escalation" and urged American citizens outside the Middle East to "seriously reconsider travel to the region." In recent weeks, rapid Houthi attacks have led to the capture of parts of Yemen, resulting in hundreds of deaths and the displacement of over 110,000 people.
This violence has also disrupted Saudi exports, the world's largest supplier of crude oil, as well as maritime traffic. According to American news agencies, the United States opposed Saudi Arabia's request for an attack on the Houthis last week but subsequently approved a $24.3 billion sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets.
Diplomatic Meetings and Emphasis on Political Solutions
On Sunday, John Ratcliffe, the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), met in a rare visit with Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the President of Egypt, in Cairo. Sisi emphasized the "high importance of resolving regional crises through political and diplomatic avenues" during this meeting.
This meeting took place just days after Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, visited Cairo. He and Sisi stressed the importance of safe and secure navigation through Bab el-Mandeb after the Houthis seized the Yemeni coasts. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a waterway in the Red Sea that is crucial for energy flow and global transportation.
Houthi Attacks and Saudi Arabia's Response
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan condemned the recent Houthi attacks and stated that Turkey has discussed potential assistance with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, defense pact partners. He noted: "In this regard, military needs, especially in governmental technical matters, may arise. Meeting this request will not be a problem."
Saudi Arabia is rapidly trying to control the fallout from the Houthi attacks on its territory. On Sunday, the attack on Riyadh was not mentioned in several major Saudi newspapers, although just hours earlier, the Riyadh-led coalition confirmed that the ballistic missile fired by the Houthis had "successfully intercepted and destroyed."
The Houthi military spokesperson, Yahya Saree, claimed responsibility for this attack and stated that Houthi forces had "conducted two successful military operations using a large number of ballistic and cruise missiles and drones." This is the first time attacks on the Saudi capital have been threatened, adding more pressure on the global economy, which has been affected by seven months of war between the United States and Iran.
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