US embassies across the Middle East have issued security alerts to American citizens amid heightened tensions and warnings that the situation could escalate unexpectedly.
Embassies in Israel, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Jordan, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar urged US nationals to remain vigilant. The notices did not identify a specific threat, but warned of possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and travel disruption.
“Due to tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation,” the alerts said.
The warnings referred to recent fighting between Saudi Arabia and Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen, saying the conflict “has the potential to escalate rapidly”.
Turki al-Malki, a spokesman for the Saudi coalition fighting the Houthis, said Saudi forces had intercepted a ballistic missile fired towards Riyadh on Saturday.
Fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis has intensified in recent weeks. The militants have taken control of large areas of Yemen’s Red Sea coastline and several islands in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, placing further pressure on global oil supplies.
The Houthis have also attempted to blockade Saudi ports since July.
Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline was damaged by drone strikes earlier this month. The attacks were believed to have been carried out by Iran-backed militias operating in Iraq, although no group has claimed responsibility.
