Saudi Prince Calls Trump Twice Seeking U.S. Strikes on Houthis in Yemen

WASHINGTON — Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called U.S. President Donald Trump twice on Thursday and urged Washington to launch strikes against the Houthis as the group advanced toward the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, Axios reported.

Trump declined the request, while U.S. officials said the administration currently has no plans to launch direct military action against the Iran-backed Houthi movement.

The request marks a shift from July, when Riyadh told Washington it could handle the Houthi threat on its own. Trump at the time backed Saudi military action against the group.

Since then, the conflict has expanded, with Houthi forces reportedly capturing the Red Sea port of Mokha and advancing toward the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key maritime chokepoint linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.

The United States is instead increasing intelligence and targeting support for Saudi Arabia, according to Axios. About 200 U.S. military personnel are reportedly involved in non-kinetic support for the Saudi campaign.

U.S. Central Command commander Adm. Brad Cooper has also traveled to Saudi Arabia for urgent coordination talks, according to the report.

The administration is seeking to keep the Red Sea shipping route open while avoiding a new U.S. military front, as American forces remain heavily focused on Iran and security around the Strait of Hormuz.

The developments underscore the growing regional pressure on Washington as the Houthi advance threatens another strategically important maritime route and raises the risk of a wider confrontation in the region.

GAROWE ONLINE