Did Trump Reject Mohammed bin Salman's Request to Strike Houthi Forces in Yemen?

The Yemeni crisis is heading toward a pivotal geopolitical juncture, as the U.S. administration redefines its military and political lines in the Middle East.

Behind-the-scenes insights from closed-door talks between Riyadh and Washington reveal divergent approaches toward mechanisms to contain on-the-ground escalation, amid complex calculations ranging from securing international navigation routes to preventing a slide into direct and open military confrontations with armed factions in the southern Red Sea region.

Secret "Thursday" communications: Dimensions of the U.S. stance on escalation in Yemen

Calculations regarding deterrence in the region are no longer limited to fleeting displays of power but are directly tied to the new U.S. administration’s vision for regional security.

In this context, the U.S. news agency Axios reported, citing informed sources within the American administration, that President Donald Trump rejected formal requests submitted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for targeted military strikes against the Houthi group in Yemen.

Intelligence sources stated that the crown prince called President Trump twice on Thursday, urging him to authorize direct military intervention to halt Houthi attacks. However, Trump declined the request, and U.S. administration officials confirmed that Washington has no current plans for direct military involvement in this conflict, aiming to avoid opening new fronts that would drain allied military capabilities.

Western Coast Campaign: The Siege of al-Mukha and Its Implications for Global Energy Security

Meanwhile, the ground is witnessing rapid battlefield shifts that have altered control and influence maps. Fighting has intensified following a large-scale Houthi offensive, during which they seized control of the districts of al-Hudaydah and al-Khokha south of Hudaydah, before shifting combat operations to the vicinity of the city of al-Mukha west of Taiz, which they have now fully encircled.

Observers and economic analysts argue that the Houthis’ control over the coastal city of al-Mukha in southwestern Yemen has strengthened their operational influence over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, one of the world’s key maritime passages.

Concerns are growing that this development could trigger severe disruptions in global energy supplies, particularly given Iran’s near-complete closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic ally of the movement.

These developments coincide with the expanding reach of hostilities toward Marib, Al-Jawf, and Al-Bayda, with both sides exchanging accusations over attacks on vital Aramco facilities and military bases in Al-Jawf.

Source: Axios + RT