Trump Refuses Saudi Request for Strikes Against Houthi Rebels
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) made two urgent calls to President Trump on Thursday, asking him to authorize strikes against the Iran-backed Houthi group in Yemen. The Houthis have been closing in on a vital Red Sea chokepoint, threatening Saudi oil exports and global trade.
Trump declined MBS's request, but promised to provide intelligence on the Houthis and targeting data to support Saudi Arabia's military efforts. U.S. officials stressed that there are no plans for direct U.S. intervention against the Houthis for now.
The situation is escalating rapidly, with oil prices surging as the Houthis seized a strategic coastal city in Yemen. The group has also reportedly taken control of a key island in the Bab al-Mandab Strait and smoke was seen over the east-west Saudi oil pipeline.