Saudi-Houthi Strikes Escalate, Displace Over 100,000

The United States urged Americans to reconsider travel throughout the Middle East, warning that renewed fighting between Saudi Arabia and Iran-backed Houthi forces could rapidly escalate and cause flight cancellations, airspace closures and other disruptions. Saudi Arabia issued emergency alerts across the country, including Riyadh, after reports of explosions and smoke near the capital’s airport; authorities reported no casualties or confirmed damage, and later declared the danger had passed. The Houthis claimed missile and drone attacks on Riyadh and Saudi oil infrastructure in Yanbu, while Saudi authorities said incoming attacks had been intercepted, though the claims could not be independently verified. The conflict followed the collapse of a lengthy truce and Houthi declarations of a maritime blockade, raising concerns about Red Sea shipping, the Bab al-Mandab Strait, Saudi oil-export routes and global energy markets. Saudi Arabia has intensified airstrikes and sought stronger U.S. assistance, while Washington’s reported role remains limited to intelligence and targeting support and the United Nations has urged de-escalation. The fighting has displaced more than 100,000 Yemenis and is unfolding amid wider regional hostilities involving Iran, Israel, Hezbollah and Gaza, with Tehran saying it conveyed conditions to Washington for ending the war through Qatar.