WASHINGTON: The Trump Camp David return came unexpectedly Saturday, as U.S. President Donald Trump cut short his weekend at the Maryland retreat while tensions rose across the Middle East. The White House gave no explanation for the schedule change.
Trump had previously been expected to remain at Camp David until Sunday before returning to Washington. The change coincided with a new escalation involving Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthis.
The Saudi-led coalition said its air defences intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile fired toward Riyadh at dawn Saturday, after a fire was reported near the Saudi capital’s international airport.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of State and American diplomatic missions issued security warnings for the region. Saudi Arabia remains under a Level 3 U.S. travel advisory, meaning Americans should reconsider travel.
The State Department advises Americans in the Middle East to follow guidance from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and monitor local security updates.
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The September 15 advisory cites armed conflict, terrorism and risks from missile and drone attacks, including threats from the Houthis in Yemen.
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President Donald Trump returned unexpectedly to the White House from Camp David on Saturday, a day earlier than previously scheduled, while the administration gave no reason for the change.
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However, the administration has not said that the Middle East developments prompted Trump’s early return, which occurred at roughly the same time, not that one caused the other.
