Saudi crown prince called Trump twice, asking to strike the Houthis
Saudi Crown Prince called Trump twice, asking for strikes on the Houthis
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman contacted US President Donald Trump twice by phone on September 10, urging him to launch strikes against the Yemeni Houthis.
The appeal requested an attack on the Iran-backed Houthis as they approached a vital strait in the Red Sea. However, Trump did not accept bin Salman's call. The US President's administration has not yet planned a direct intervention against the Houthis.
On September 10, the Houthis seized a strategic city on the Red Sea coast. Oil prices rose sharply after they approached the Bab al-Mandab Strait, which is crucial for Saudi Arabia's oil exports.
The US is concerned about the escalating conflict in Yemen. At the same time, while trying to avoid direct military intervention, it is increasing its support to Saudi Arabia.
### Tension between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis
The conflict between the parties escalated after Saudi Arabia prevented an Iranian plane from landing at Sana'a airport in July. On board the plane were high-ranking Houthi officials returning from the funeral of Iran's former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
At that time, Mohammed bin Salman asked Trump for political support to strike Sana'a airport, but said that military assistance was not needed. Trump supported him.
Following this, the Houthis attacked Saudi Arabian tankers in the Red Sea, threatening a vital route for the kingdom's oil exports. Later, the attacks were also directed at Saudi Arabia's energy facilities.
In response, Saudi Arabia and its allies in Yemen launched air and ground strikes against the Houthis. Saudi Arabia's demand for military action from the US contrasts sharply with its statement in July that it would fight the Houthis independently. However, as the conflict escalated, the Saudis began to ask the US for more and more help.
### The Rejection
US military and civilian officials have told their Saudi counterparts in recent weeks that Trump has ordered US forces to focus on Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. His directive is intended to prevent a new front from opening. Despite Trump's rejection, the US provides Saudi Arabia with intelligence on the Houthis and targets.
"About 200 US military personnel are already in Saudi Arabia, providing non-kinetic assistance," the official said.
A senior Trump administration official said the US priority is to keep the Red Sea open.
"The United States is focused on protecting its core national security interests, including ensuring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. At the same time, we seek to give our regional partners a leading role in managing and resolving regional security challenges. We are in constant dialogue with Saudi Arabia and the government of the Republic of Yemen on regional stability issues," the official said.