Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly called U.S. President Trump twice and urged him to launch strikes against the Houthi rebels in Yemen, Axios reported, citing U.S. officials.
Trump rejected the request, and US officials said the administration does not intend to take direct military action against the Houthis at this time.
According to Axios, there has been a change in the Saudi position, from dealing with the Houthis alone to increasingly seeking U.S. support. However, sources said that U.S. military and civilian officials have told the Saudis that Trump wants to stay focused on Iran and the Strait of Hormuz while shying away from new fronts.
Bin Salman first called Trump to brief him on the Houthi advance toward the coastal city of Mocha, then again several hours later to urge that the U.S. order strikes. The Iran-backed Houthis later captured the city, gaining further leverage over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s most important shipping routes.
Earlier, the Houthis have taken over two Red Sea islands located in the middle of the Bab al-Mandeb shipping lane, causing the Yemeni government’s military to withdraw and completing the rebels’ push to control the area.
