Saudi Prince Asked Trump Twice to Strike the Houthis — Axios
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called U.S. President Donald Trump twice to request airstrikes against the Houthis. According to Axios, this occurred as the Iran-backed group was advancing toward a key strategic site on the Red Sea coast.
On Thursday, as Houthi forces advanced on the coastal city of Mocha, and Saudi Arabia-backed Yemeni troops were retreating, the prince first called Trump to inform him of the deteriorating situation, U.S. officials said.
A few hours later, Mohammed bin Salman called the U.S. president a second time and urged him to order U.S. airstrikes against the Houthis.
Trump refused; however, according to one U.S. official, the U.S. administration will provide Saudi Arabia with intelligence on the Houthis and the coordinates of targets. U.S. officials emphasized that Washington currently has no plans to intervene directly in the fight against the Houthis.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, U.S. military and civilian officials have told their Saudi counterparts in recent weeks that Trump has instructed U.S. forces to focus on Iran and the Strait of Hormuz and not to open another front.
According to one of the officials, there are already about 200 U.S. service members in Saudi Arabia providing non-military support.
A senior Trump administration official made it clear that Washington’s priority is to maintain open access to the Red Sea, while leaving a more extensive campaign to its regional partners.
“We are in constant dialogue with Saudi Arabia and the government of the Republic of Yemen regarding regional stability,” the official said.
Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, traveled to Saudi Arabia on Thursday for urgent coordination meetings, according to two sources.
Two U.S. officials told Axios this on condition of anonymity.
Trump: The Houthis have stated their readiness to halt attacks in the Red Sea.
We previously reported that the Iranian-backed Yemeni group “Houthis” carried out another attack on Israeli territory—this time targeting Ben Gurion International Airport, located near Tel Aviv.
We also note that British troops participated in a joint operation with the U.S. Armed Forces in Yemen against Houthi militant targets.
