Saudi authorities issued a new alert over attacks from Yemen, where fighting intensified, as fears grew of the Middle East conflict expanding. Saudi Arabia warned residents in a province bordering Yemen of potential danger after Iran-backed Houthi fighters made lightning advances on their side of the border; days earlier, Riyadh itself was hit by a Houthi attack.
Britain and France offered support for Saudi military efforts and energy infrastructure respectively, but the US, the Middle East’s military giant, has so far opted against backing Riyadh’s campaign against the Houthis, The New York Times reported. Instead, Washington has proposed a multibillion dollar fund to rebuild energy facilities across the Gulf, according to The Wall Street Journal.