Washington: US President Donald Trump returned to the White House on Saturday, cutting short his planned weekend at Camp David as tensions continued to rise across the Middle East. The White House did not give a reason for the change in schedule.
The early return came as Yemen’s Houthis claimed attacks on Saudi targets, while Saudi Arabia said its air defences intercepted a ballistic missile fired towards Riyadh.
Smoke and flames were reported near King Khalid International Airport, and Saudi authorities issued aerial-threat alerts before declaring an all-clear.
The US State Department and several American diplomatic missions issued security alerts, warning of the possibility of rapid escalation and advising Americans in the Middle East to remain vigilant.
Middle East: Due to tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation. Americans currently in the Middle East should exercise heightened vigilance and be aware of potential flight cancellations, airspace closures,… pic.twitter.com/TPj23kFFzo
— TravelGov (@TravelGov) September 19, 2026
The alerts also warned of possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and travel disruptions. Americans outside the region were advised to seriously reconsider travel to and through the Middle East.
The warnings followed an escalation in fighting between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia. The Houthis have targeted Saudi cities and infrastructure, while Saudi forces have continued military operations in Yemen.
Trump’s decision to return early came amid the wider regional conflict, but the administration has not publicly linked his schedule change to any specific military action or emergency response.
