Trump Refuses Direct Strikes on Houthi Rebels as Conflict Escalates

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called US President Donald Trump twice in one day to request direct strikes against Yemen's Houthi rebels, but Trump refused. The Houthis have been making gains in recent days, seizing key positions and threatening a vital route for Saudi oil exports through the Red Sea.

The confrontation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis resumed in July after Riyadh prevented an Iranian aircraft from landing in Sanaa, and has since escalated into airstrikes and ground operations against Houthi positions. Trump's administration has told Saudi officials that it does not intend to take direct military action against the Houthis, but will provide intelligence and targeting information instead.

The Bab el-Mandab Strait, which connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, is a critical shipping route for oil exports, and control of the strait could give the Houthi rebels greater ability to influence global energy markets. Crude oil prices jumped at least 5% on Thursday in response to the escalating conflict.