Trump rejects Saudi requests for direct strikes against Houthis

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly contacted U.S. President Donald Trump twice last week to request direct American military strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen. The requests were denied by the Trump administration.

According to reports, President Trump has established a “red line” against direct American participation in kinetic attacks against the Houthi group. Instead, U.S. support remains limited to providing intelligence and targeting data to assist Saudi-led efforts. This stance comes as Houthi forces continue to advance toward the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

During a recent trip to Ireland, Trump commented on the situation, stating that the Houthis “do not want to fight us” and expressed that they are simply “not very happy” with Saudi Arabia. While U.S. officials noted they have worked to strengthen a ceasefire with the Houthis during recent meetings in Oman, the refusal to engage in offensive combat marks a continued shift in U.S. regional security policy.