05 / 10
Trump rejects Saudi request for Houthi strikes
Trump declined Saudi Arabia’s request for direct US strikes against Houthi forces in Yemen.
What happened
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called Donald Trump twice to seek US strikes on Houthi positions as Houthi forces advanced along Yemen’s Red Sea coast. Trump rejected the request. The administration plans to avoid direct military action while continuing support for Saudi Arabia.
Numbers
- Two callsfrom the Saudi crown prince — Made on Thursday
- About 200 personnelalready supporting Saudi Arabia — In non-combat roles
Questions
- What support will Washington still provide?
- The United States plans to provide Saudi Arabia with intelligence on Houthi forces and targeting data, while avoiding direct participation in strikes.
- Why did Trump decline the request?
- US officials described a policy of concentrating military resources on Iran and protecting the Strait of Hormuz rather than opening another front.
- Why does the Yemen fighting matter regionally?
- Houthi advances near Bab al-Mandab raise concern over a shipping passage linking the Red Sea to wider trade routes.
- What has Saudi Arabia done militarily?
- Saudi Arabia has carried out airstrikes against Houthi forces as fighting intensified between the Houthis and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces.
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The catch
Neither the US nor Saudi government had publicly confirmed the reported calls or refusal.