US warns of a rapid escalation / Houthi rebels attack Saudi Arabia

The United States warned on Saturday that it fears a “rapid escalation” of hostilities in the Middle East, following a series of attacks launched by Houthi rebels from Yemen against Saudi Arabia.

Washington’s warning comes as the Saudi capital, Riyadh, was targeted for the first time in several months by the Iran-backed Houthi fighters. The attacks heighten regional tensions and increase the risk of the conflict spreading into an area already marked by confrontations and rivalries between regional powers.

The Houthi rebels, who control a significant part of Yemen, have previously launched missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia. The kingdom was involved in the conflict in Yemen as part of a military coalition that intervened against the group.

The resumption of attacks on Riyadh, after a pause of several months, represents the latest development fueling concerns about the rapid deterioration of the security situation in the Middle East. The United States’ statement highlights the risk that hostilities could intensify and affect regional stability.