The U.S. mission in Saudi Arabia now requires government employees to obtain special authorization for official or personal travel to Taif and Yanbu amid ongoing fighting between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthis. Regular and emergency consular services for U.S. citizens remain available.

The restrictions follow a broader State Department warning urging Americans to seriously reconsider travel to and through the Middle East and those already there to prepare for possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and other disruptions. The department cited Houthi hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including civilian airports, and warned that the conflict could “escalate rapidly.” Riyadh’s airport experienced cancellations and delays on Saturday, when an Aramco fuel tank near the airport caught fire.

The Houthis claimed missile and drone attacks on sites in Riyadh and Aramco facilities in Yanbu. The Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted a ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh and thwarted attacks on Bish, Taif, Farasan and Yanbu. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said Sunday that Saudi warplanes had launched 28 airstrikes in Yemen over the previous 24 hours, Al Mayadeen reported. Qatar condemned the Houthi attacks, while Washington pledged support for Saudi Arabia. “We are in close consultation with our Saudi partners and remain committed to their security,” a State Department spokesperson told Iran International.