Yemen asks Trump for military support against Houthis — NBC News

The Yemeni government has asked U.S. President Donald Trump for military support in the fight against the Houthis. Yemen’s President Rashad al-Alimi conveyed this request to Trump during a telephone conversation earlier this week, said Abdullah al-Alimi Bawazir, vice president of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council.

According to NBC News, Bawazir told journalists on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly that he was not aware of the request being rejected. He expressed hope for increased U.S. support for the Yemeni government in its confrontation with the Houthis. The White House did not immediately respond to NBC News’ request for comment.

Intelligence and support for forces

Bawazir did not specify whether U.S. support should include direct military strikes. At the same time, he stressed that the Yemeni authorities are not asking for American soldiers to be sent to fight on their behalf.

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According to the official, Yemen expects coordination in the areas of intelligence and security, as well as strengthening its own military capabilities to counter the Houthis. He noted that air campaigns are important, but support for the Yemeni government and forces on the ground could be key to ending the threat posed by the group.

Situation near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait

The Houthis are advancing along Yemen’s Red Sea coast and aim to block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, NBC News reports. The outlet calls it an important route for transporting Saudi oil after Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Saudi Arabia has called on the United States to take military action against the Houthis. The group also carried out an attack on the kingdom’s capital, Riyadh, last weekend. So far, U.S. support has been limited to providing intelligence and targeting data.