US Central Command chief meets Saudi Crown Prince as Houthis take Bab al-Mandeb high ground

Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command, traveled to Jeddah to discuss regional issues with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The talks came as Yemen’s Houthi rebels captured the high ground overlooking the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a key maritime chokepoint. The rebels have also taken the port of Mokha and other coastal positions, prompting Saudi-aligned forces to withdraw.

The United States, while avoiding direct combat, is providing intelligence and targeting support to aid Saudi air-defense efforts. Recent drone attacks, one of which knocked out the East-West Pipeline, were linked to Iran-armed militias based in Iraq, highlighting broader Iran-Saudi tensions.