Saudi Request 'Surprise' to Trump

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman requested the United States take leadership of military operations against Houthi forces in Yemen, according to Israel's public broadcasting corporation, citing sources familiar with developments.

According to the report, the Saudi side made this request during a meeting between Mohammed bin Salman and U.S. Central Command commander General Brad Cooper in mid-month.

Washington Rejects Leading the Conflict

The report stated that Washington rejected taking command of the military campaign against the Houthis, particularly given that the group is not currently directing its attacks toward American ships in the Red Sea.

In contrast, the United States informed the Saudi Crown Prince that it is ready to support any military moves Saudi Arabia might take against the Houthis.

The U.S. stance, according to the report, reflects Washington’s desire to avoid opening a new military front in the Middle East at a time when the region faces multiple crises and conflicts.

Saudi Arabia Aims to Avoid the 'Yemen Quagmire'

According to the same source, the Saudi request is linked to Riyadh’s desire to avoid direct re-engagement in the Yemen war, especially in light of its past experience with the Houthis and the resulting military and security repercussions.

The kingdom seeks to maintain room for maneuver in confronting the group without returning to a large-scale military quagmire that could drain its capabilities and reopen a front that Riyadh has worked over recent years to calm.

American Support Without Direct Leadership

Information from the report indicates that Washington prefers to provide support to Saudi Arabia should it decide to carry out operations against the Houthis, rather than assume command of the operations itself.

This comes amid ongoing tensions in the Red Sea, where Houthi activity remains one of the main sources of instability in regional maritime corridors, while the United States seeks to limit its involvement in additional military confrontations in the region.

Thus, the Saudi-U.S. talks reveal a divergence in calculations between Riyadh and Washington: Saudi Arabia wants to avoid direct confrontation with the Houthis, while the U.S. appears unwilling to lead a new military campaign against the group, though it keeps the door open for supporting Saudi initiatives.