Trump Says U.S. May Join Saudi Strikes on Houthis After Riyadh Airport Attacks
The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh also issued a security alert, warning Americans to avoid KKIA and its surrounding areas as of Saturday.
“U.S. citizens should be aware of potential flight cancellations, airspace closures, and travel disruptions. We recommend checking your flight departure status directly with the airline and with the airport,” its website said.
Why has the Saudi-Houthi conflict escalated?
The latest airport attacks followed months of escalating threats to air travel and shipping.
In July, the Houthis accused the Saudis of bombing Sanaa International Airport. Yemen’s Saudi-backed government claimed responsibility, saying it had sought to prevent an Iranian plane from landing there.
In response, the Houthis said that they would impose a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia.
The Houthis last month captured both the port city of Mokha and Perim Island in a bid to control the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. With shipping through the Strait of Hormuz already disrupted by the U.S. war with Iran, a threat to traffic through Bab el-Mandeb could deepen the global oil crisis.
