US embassies in nine regional countries, including Qatar, issue Houthi threat alerts

US embassies in Qatar and eight other countries issued coordinated security alerts on Sunday, warning Americans that hostilities involving Houthi militants could escalate rapidly beyond the areas affected so far, according to US officials who spoke to ABC News.

ABC News reported that the embassies in Bahrain, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar and the UAE issued the alerts, which said the hostilities "have the potential to escalate rapidly". The US mission to Yemen and its virtual embassy for Iran also issued identical messages, ABC News said. It described the warnings as covering a dozen countries and as an unprecedented step by the State Department. The US embassy in Saudi Arabia has been issuing near-daily alerts to Americans for weeks, according to ABC News.

CBS News also reported the alerts as issued on Sunday, by embassies in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and several other countries. It said they urged Americans to exercise vigilance and prepare for possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and other travel disruptions. Euronews gave a different day, reporting that identical alerts were issued on Monday in 12 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Iran. Euronews said the Qatar embassy urged citizens on Sunday to monitor official alerts and local media, avoid demonstrations and large gatherings, and follow instructions from local authorities.

Euronews quoted the alert as saying the hostilities could escalate "beyond that immediate area" and urging Americans to "develop contingency plans in advance." It also quoted the alert as saying: "Iran and groups supportive of Iran may target other US interests overseas or at locations associated with the United States and Americans throughout the world, including US businesses and other institutions."

Edgar Vasquez, the State Department's deputy assistant secretary for press, gave ABC News and CBS News the same opening words: "We are actively warning U.S. citizens about the very real threat the Houthis pose and urging them to heed official guidance." CBS News quoted him as adding: "These alerts are part of a proactive effort by the Trump administration to ensure Americans are aware of potential risks." CBS News said Vasquez described the safety and security of American citizens as the department's "top priority."

CBS News linked the alerts to a surge in Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia, including an Oct. 10 strike on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport that killed an American citizen. According to Saudi authorities cited by CBS News, the attack killed at least 13 people and injured more than 300. ABC News reported that Saudi Arabia postponed a major annual investment conference because of the security environment.

On Washington's response, ABC News and CBS News both reported that President Trump has so far declined to order direct US military intervention. CBS News said he has declined repeated requests from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and has left open the possibility of joining airstrikes. Asked after the airport attack, Trump said on Oct. 10, according to CBS News: "We may," and then added: "We're going to look at it." ABC News, citing sources, said the administration is wary of opening a second front while the conflict with Iran remains unsettled.

In a CBS News interview, Marwan Ali Noman, political adviser to the minister of foreign affairs of the government of Yemen, said: "We are fighting on behalf of everyone, because the threat and risk of the Houthis will expand." Euronews separately reported that Qatar Airways announced it will suspend its Saudi-bound flights to and from Riyadh and Dammam until 24 October and reduce flights to Jeddah from seven to four per day.