US President Donald Trump abruptly cut short his weekend stay at Camp David and returned to the White House on Saturday, as fresh Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia's capital raised concerns over a wider escalation in the Middle East.

Trump had been expected to remain at the presidential retreat in Maryland until Sunday. The administration did not immediately give a reason for the change in his schedule.

The development came after the Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen's Houthis said the Iran-backed group launched a ballistic missile towards Riyadh early Saturday. A fire was also reported near the Saudi capital's international airport.

The incident prompted the US State Department and several American embassies to issue security alerts to US citizens in the region.

 

In its warning, the State Department pointed to the possibility of a rapid escalation, citing previous Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including attacks involving civilian airports.

It also urged Americans outside the Middle East to seriously reconsider travel to and through the region.

The latest developments put Saudi Arabia back in focus as tensions involving the Houthis and their regional opponents continue to raise concerns about a broader conflict.

With AFP inputs