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Araweelo News Network | Associated Online Agencies
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HARGEISA — Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly urged U.S. President Donald Trump to authorize military strikes against Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi forces as the group advances toward the strategically vital Bab al-Mandab Strait, according to Axios and sources cited by Reuters.
Axios reported that Mohammed bin Salman made two urgent calls to Trump on Thursday, seeking American military intervention against the Houthis. Trump, however, declined to launch direct U.S. strikes.
The development comes amid a sharp deterioration in security around Yemen and the Red Sea. Houthi advances along Yemen’s western coast have increased concerns over the Bab al-Mandab Strait, one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints for commercial shipping and energy transportation.
Washington Chooses Support Without Direct Intervention
Rather than launching a new U.S. bombing campaign, Washington is reportedly increasing intelligence and targeting assistance to Saudi Arabia while seeking to avoid opening another direct military front in Yemen.
The reported decision highlights a difficult calculation for the Trump administration: protecting freedom of navigation and supporting a major U.S. ally while avoiding a deeper military commitment in another Middle Eastern conflict.
U.S. Central Command chief Admiral Brad Cooper also traveled to Saudi Arabia for urgent discussions as the crisis intensified.
Why Bab al-Mandab Matters
The confrontation is particularly significant because Bab al-Mandab connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the wider Indian Ocean shipping system.
Any sustained disruption could affect international shipping, energy exports and insurance costs, while increasing pressure on alternative routes around Africa.
The crisis also comes after months of conflict involving Iran, the United States and regional actors, raising fears that Yemen could become another major front in the wider regional confrontation.
A Significant Shift for Riyadh
The reported request also represents a notable change in Saudi calculations.
Earlier in the year, Riyadh had indicated that it could manage the Houthi threat without direct American military intervention. The renewed appeal to Washington suggests that the latest Houthi advances have created a level of concern that Saudi Arabia considers increasingly difficult to contain alone.
For Washington, however, Trump’s refusal indicates that the administration currently prefers indirect support rather than another large-scale U.S. military campaign in Yemen.
The decision could become increasingly consequential if the Houthis succeed in maintaining or expanding their ability to threaten shipping through Bab al-Mandab.
Araweelo News Network will continue to monitor developments in Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Iran and the Red Sea.
Source: Axios; Reuters
Verification note: Araweelo News Network has not independently verified the private conversations described by Axios and Reuters.
keywords: Mohammed bin Salman, Donald Trump, Houthis, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Bab al-Mandab, Red Sea crisis, Iran, U.S. strikes Yemen, maritime security, Red Sea shipping.
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