Hürriyet Dünya47 minutes agoWorld1 min readTürkiye

US rejects Saudi Arabia's request to attack Houthis in Yemen

Quick Look

Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called US President Donald Trump twice to launch an attack on the Houthis in Yemen, but Trump rejected the request.
The US administration chose to support Saudi Arabia in managing regional security issues without directly intervening.

AI-generated summary

Why It Matters

Last July, Saudi Arabia informed the USA that it could deal with the Houthis on its own. However, the Houthis' seizure of control of the Red Sea city of Mocha and their approach to the Bab al-Mandab Strait threatened maritime trade in the region and prompted Saudi Arabia to request military support from the United States.

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US rejects Saudi Arabia's attack request. In the news on the US-based Axios news site, it was stated that Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called US President Donald Trump twice yesterday and requested him to launch an attack against the Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, and it was stated that Trump rejected this request.

It was reported that Selman called him on Thursday to inform Trump that the situation had worsened after the Houthis took control of the vital city of Mocha in the Red Sea and approached the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait. A few hours later, it was reported that Selman called Trump again and asked for the US to order an attack on the Houthis.

Two US officials told Axios that the Trump administration has no plans to intervene directly against the Houthis at this stage. Officials stated that the United States has informed its Saudi counterparts in recent weeks that Trump's instructions were for American forces to focus on Iran and the Strait of Hormuz and avoid opening a new front.

The news stated that a US official said that the US administration would provide intelligence and targeting data about the Houthis to Saudi Arabia. US officials announced that there are approximately 200 US soldiers in Saudi Arabia and said, "While the US focuses on protecting our basic national security interests, such as ensuring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, it leaves the leadership in managing and resolving regional security problems to our regional partners. We are in constant dialogue with Saudi Arabia and the Government of Yemen regarding regional stability."

Two sources with knowledge of the matter reported that US Central Command Commander (CENTCOM) Brad Cooper went to Saudi Arabia on Thursday for emergency coordination meetings.

The news pointed out that Saudi Arabia's direct request for military action from the USA indicates an important policy change after Saudi Arabia informed the USA last July that it could deal with the Houthis on its own.

What to Watch

AI outlook — possibilities, not facts

The US will provide Saudi Arabia with intelligence and targeting data on the Houthis.
Likely · Within days
Since Saudi Arabia cannot receive direct military support from the United States, it will seek to coordinate more with local partners to manage security challenges in the region.
Possible · Within weeks

Open Questions

How much impact will the Houthis' capture of Mocha have on freedom of navigation in the Red Sea?
How effective will the US commitment to provide intelligence and targeting data to Saudi Arabia be?
Will Saudi Arabia try to develop alternative strategies since it cannot receive direct military support from the United States?