US President Donald Trump has cut short his weekend stay at Camp David and returned to the White House earlier than planned as tensions rise in the Middle East.

The White House did not give a specific reason for the change, although officials say weekend travel plans can be altered for various reasons, including weather conditions.

The move came after the Saudi-led coalition fighting Yemen’s Houthis said the Iran-backed group fired a ballistic missile towards Riyadh.

The incident happened shortly after a fire was reported near the Saudi capital’s international airport.

The US State Department and several American embassies in the region have issued security alerts, warning that the conflict could escalate rapidly.

The department also urged Americans outside the Middle East to seriously reconsider travelling to or through the region.