Trump rejects Saudi request for strikes on Houthis
QAMISHLI, U.S. (North Press) – U.S. President Donald Trump rejected Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s request for U.S. strikes against Yemen’s Houthis, Axios reported on Friday, citing two U.S. officials.
Mohammed bin Salman made two calls to Trump on Thursday, urging him to launch military strikes against the Iran-backed group amid its advance toward the Bab al-Mandab Strait, according to Axios.
The U.S. administration has no plans to directly intervene against the Houthis at this time, U.S. officials said, while Washington is increasing support for Saudi Arabia and seeking to avoid deeper military involvement in Yemen.
The Houthis recently seized the strategic Red Sea port city of Mokha, bringing them closer to the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key maritime route linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
The developments have raised concerns over international shipping and Saudi oil exports, particularly as traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains affected by the wider conflict with Iran.
U.S. military and civilian officials have told their Saudi counterparts that Trump wants American forces to remain focused on Iran and on safeguarding the Strait of Hormuz, while avoiding the opening of another military front, Axios reported.
Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, traveled to Saudi Arabia on Thursday for urgent coordination talks, according to the report.
Saudi Arabia has also sought to build an international coalition to protect shipping in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks, Reuters reported previously.