US warns of rapid escalation in Middle East war

The United States has warned that the Middle East conflict could escalate rapidly. The warning comes after Iran-backed Houthis launched a missile attack targeting Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, according to Punch Nigeria.

The US Mission to the UAE has urged Americans outside the Middle East to reconsider travel to and through the region, citing heightened tensions that could lead to rapid and unforeseen escalation, flight cancellations, and airspace closures, as reported by Gulf News. The US Department of State has also advised American citizens in the Middle East to exercise heightened caution due to the turbulent and unpredictable regional situation, Egypt Independent reports.

A US B-1B Lancer bomber took off from RAF Fairford, although its mission and destination remain undisclosed, Ajel English reports. The US alert warned that Iranian-supported Houthis had engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including civilian airports, and that the conflict has the potential to escalate rapidly.

Brief written by urgent.news from Punch Nigeria, Ajel English, Gulf News, Egypt Independent — 4 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.