Trump declines Saudi Crown Prince's plea for U.S. strikes on Yemen's Houthi rebels

On Thursday, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called President Donald Trump to alert him to a sharp worsening of the fight in Yemen, where government troops backed by Riyadh were unable to halt Houthi advances toward the coastal city of Mokha and the crucial Bab al-Mandeb waterway. He pressed the U.S. leader to authorize air operations against the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels. Hours later, Trump declined the request, stating that the United States would not conduct strikes on the group.

The refusal highlights the gap between Saudi expectations for American military support and Washington's hesitancy to deepen its role in the Yemen war. This decision may influence Saudi-U.S. coordination and the broader regional balance as the Houthis continue their push. No alternative measures were disclosed.