US President Donald Trump has rejected a request from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for American airstrikes against Houthi fighters in Yemen, according to a report by Axios.
The development followed a sharp escalation in fighting after the Iran-backed Houthis launched a large-scale offensive against Saudi-backed government forces in Yemen last week, killing hundreds of people, according to reports.
Saudi Arabia has responded with dozens of airstrikes against Houthi positions, with Houthi media reporting that the latest two strikes hit an airport.
The Saudi crown prince reportedly spoke with Trump on Thursday to brief him on the worsening military situation in Yemen, as Houthi forces advanced towards the strategic coastal city of Mokha, Axios reported, citing two unidentified US officials.
Bin Salman reportedly called Trump again several hours later to request direct US strikes against the Houthis, but the American president declined the request.
Although Washington will not carry out the requested strikes, a US official cited by Axios said the United States would provide Saudi Arabia with intelligence and targeting information on Houthi forces.
More than 200 US military personnel are also currently in Saudi Arabia providing what the official described as “non-kinetic support.”
The escalation comes despite Riyadh’s position in July that it could independently deal with the Houthis despite the worsening conflict.
On Friday, Houthi fighters reportedly seized a key Red Sea island in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, completing their advance towards control of a strategically important waterway linked to Saudi oil exports.
The conflict in Yemen has gained renewed prominence amid a broader Middle East crisis triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran, which subsequently prompted Tehran to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, another critical global energy route.
The simultaneous disruptions have heightened concerns over global oil supplies, with Brent crude, the international benchmark, and US West Texas Intermediate crude both trading above $100 per barrel on Friday.
Meanwhile, the commander of US Central Command, Brad Cooper, travelled to Saudi Arabia on Thursday for urgent coordination meetings, Axios reported.
Agency reports
