Saudi Arabia changes direction: bin Salman's dramatic request to Trump

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman asked US President Donald Trump to carry out American strikes against the Houthis, after they advanced toward the Bab el-Mandeb strait and threatened Saudi oil export routes. Trump refused the request, but the US administration will provide intelligence and assistance, while maintaining focus on Iran and the Strait of Hormuz.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman asked US President Donald Trump to carry out direct American strikes against the Houthis in Yemen, after the Houthis advanced toward the Bab el-Mandeb strait and threatened a critical shipping route for Saudi oil exports. According to a report by Axios, the request marks a sharp shift in the Saudi position: only in July, Riyadh made clear to Washington that it could handle the Houthis on its own. On Thursday, as Houthi forces advanced toward the coastal city of Al-Mukha and Saudi-backed Yemeni forces retreated, bin Salman called Trump and updated him on the deterioration. A few hours later, he called again and requested American strikes. Trump refused the request. However, a US official said the administration would provide Saudi Arabia with intelligence on the Houthis and target data. According to him, about 200 US military personnel are already in Saudi Arabia providing assistance that does not include offensive operations. A senior Trump administration official clarified that Washington's priority is to ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, while leaving the management of the broader conflict to its allies in the region.