US President Donald Trump rejected phone calls from Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Mohammed Bin Salman twice, urging him to launch strikes against Houthis, Axios reported, citing US officials.
US officials said Trump declined the request because the US has no plans to intervene directly for now, according to the report.
Washington’s priority is keeping the Red Sea open while leaving the broader fight to its regional partners, according to a senior Trump administration official. “Several hours later, MBS called again and urged Trump to order US strikes against the Houthis. Trump declined, but the administration will provide Saudi Arabia with intelligence on the Houthis and targeting data,” they added. The Houthis kept mostly to the sidelines when the Iran war began, but over the summer, the rebels increased attacks against Yemen’s internationally recognized government and declared a blockade on Saudi Arabia, which supports it.
“We are in continuous dialogue with Saudi Arabia and the republic of Yemen government regarding regional stability,” the official added. Houthi forces have pushed Saudi-backed government troops south towards Dhubab, directly opposite Perim island at the entrance to the strait, according to two Yemeni government sources. Earlier reporting noted: According to a report by Axios , Saudi Arabia’s MBS called US President Donald Trump twice and urged him to launch a strike against the Houthis amid their blockade of the vital Red Sea chokepoint.
Control of the area could put the Houthis in a position to threaten maritime traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb. the US president declined to launch strikes against the group While Trump flagged his concerns regarding the escalating conflict in Yemen.
Earlier reporting noted: Two US officials stressed that the Trump administration has no plans to intervene directly against the Houthis for now, the report further added.