Trump Rejects Saudi Call for US Strikes on Houthis

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called US President Donald Trump twice on Thursday and urged him to launch strikes against the Houthis in Yemen, Axios reported, citing two US officials.

Trump rejected the request, according to the report. US officials said the administration does not currently intend to take direct military action against the Houthis, although Washington is increasingly concerned about the rapidly escalating conflict in Yemen and is stepping up support for Saudi Arabia. Reuters could not immediately verify the Axios report.

Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command, traveled to Saudi Arabia on Thursday for urgent coordination talks.

US military and civilian officials have also told their Saudi counterparts in recent weeks that Trump wants American forces focused on Iran and safeguarding the Strait of Hormuz while avoiding the opening of another military front.

Saudi Arabia is meanwhile seeking to build an international coalition to protect shipping in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks.

Tensions escalated in early July, when the Houthis said their forces had confronted Saudi “warplanes” attempting to prevent an Iranian civilian aircraft from landing at Sanaa International Airport.

(Reuters, mja)