ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The United States has warned its citizens across the Middle East to exercise “heightened vigilance,” citing the risk of an “unforeseen escalation” as fighting intensifies between Saudi Arabia and Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
“Due to tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation,” read a security alert issued by US diplomatic missions across the region on Saturday.
“Americans currently in the Middle East should exercise heightened vigilance and be aware of potential flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions,” it added.
Washington specifically pointed to renewed fighting between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthis, warning that the conflict “has the potential to escalate rapidly.”
The warning came after Saudi Arabia said it intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile targeting the capital Riyadh on Saturday, the first such attack on the city since fighting intensified. The Houthis also claimed attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure. No casualties were reported from the missile attack on Riyadh.
The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen including the capital Sanaa, have recently made territorial gains amid renewed fighting with forces aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognized government and backed by Saudi Arabia.
Similar US security alerts were issued by diplomatic missions across the region, including in Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Washington also urged Americans outside the Middle East to “seriously reconsider” travel to or through the region.
The State Department warned that US diplomatic facilities have previously been targeted and said Iran and Iran-aligned groups could target American interests, businesses and institutions overseas.
Regional tensions have remained high since the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran in late February, prompting Iranian retaliation and severely disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy supplies.
The United States and Iran exchanged strikes again earlier this month after a month-long lull, with Washington targeting Iranian military facilities and Tehran retaliating with missiles and drones against US positions in the region.
The latest warning comes as the conflict in Yemen again threatens to spill across its borders. Saudi Arabia intervened militarily against the Houthis in 2015 at the head of a coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government. The Houthis have previously targeted Saudi cities, airports and oil facilities with missiles and drones.
