Trump Rejects Direct Military Intervention in Yemen Amid Escalating Conflict
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, U.S. President Donald Trump engaged in a phone call with Rashad al-Alimi, the head of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council based in Aden, to discuss the advancements of Houthi forces near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Al-Alimi, mirroring Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, urged Trump to intervene against the Houthi advances, but Trump offered no direct commitment to provide military support.
Earlier, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, when questioned about the lack of U.S. intervention and strikes against Houthi forces, stated that the United States would not repeat its actions in Iraq and Afghanistan and preferred to focus on its core interests, such as Iran and China. Previously, The New York Times reported a significant intensification in the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi forces in recent days, with the Houthi forces approaching Saudi borders, thereby increasing the risk of direct ground engagements between the two parties. The report indicated that Houthi forces have managed to advance towards the Saudi city of Najran amidst intense clashes with Riyadh-affiliated elements.
The New York Times added that the U.S. President had been hesitant for weeks regarding Saudi Arabia’s requests for assistance in the Yemen war, but the issue reached a peak on Thursday. U.S. administration officials stated that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman contacted Trump and once again requested intervention to contain the rapidly advancing Houthi group. Trump had met with his advisors just a day prior and informed them he did not favor attacks. However, after speaking with the Saudi Crown Prince, he reportedly changed his mind and ordered the Pentagon to prepare for airstrikes against Yemen.
Yet, by Sunday afternoon, the U.S. President appeared to have shifted his position once more. According to U.S. administration officials, at least for the current moment, no U.S. airstrikes against Yemen will be carried out.
