The US government has urged its citizens to reconsider all travel to the Middle East as tensions continue between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
In the latest conflict escalation in the Middle East, Iranian-supported Houthis, a military group in Yemen, have engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including civilian airports.
This came after the group launched a lightning offensive around the narrow Bab el-Mandeb strait, a vital waterway in the region, especially for Saudi oil exports.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for a series of strikes on the Saudi capital Riyadh on Saturday. This claim came hours after a column of black smoke was seen rising from fuel tanks near Riyadh’s international airport, temporarily disrupting flights.
The US government now warns that military conflict has the potential to escalate rapidly.
It said that ongoing tensions in the Middle East mean security in the region remains “complex” with “potential for unforeseen escalation”.
Security alerts have been issued from 11 US embassies in the wake of the attacks by the Houthis, including popular destinations such as the UAE, Qatar and Jordan.
“Americans currently in the Middle East should exercise heightened vigilance and be aware of potential flight cancellations, airspace closures and travel disruptions,” the department's latest advice states.
“Americans outside the Middle East should seriously reconsider travel to and through the region,” the State Department said.
“Those who do travel to or from the region should monitor information about airport and airline operations. US diplomatic facilities, including outside the Middle East, have been targeted.
“Iran and groups supportive of Iran may target other US interests overseas or at locations associated with the United States and Americans throughout the world, including US businesses and other institutions”.
Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen all have a red “do not travel warning” from the US State Department.
Bahrain, Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have an orange “reconsider travel” advisory.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump again issued a threat to destroy the “entire country” of Iran during a phone call with a Fox News reporter on Sunday.
The president said that for him, the “question” was “if and when” it would be required to “blow the entire nation up” if Iran’s government did not submit to his demands.
Iran’s military central command stated on state media on Sunday that any new assault would trigger sustained retaliation against US military bases and interests, adding that the US’s regional allies would be regarded as parties to the conflict.
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