Saudis ready for conflict with US over Houthis - assessment
Saudi Arabia is growing increasingly dissatisfied with US actions due to the lack of a decisive response to the Houthi threat. Riyadh expects direct American military support, but President Trump has so far refused to strike the Houthis. Previously, Saudi authorities temporarily restricted US military access to their bases, fearing escalation with Iran.
Saudi Arabia is growing increasingly dissatisfied with US actions amid the fighting against the Houthis. According to sources close to the royal family, Riyadh is disappointed by Washington's lack of a decisive response and increasingly feels its own vulnerability. The Houthis are exploiting US caution to strengthen their influence, while Saudi Arabia bears the consequences. Another source reported that Riyadh expects direct American military support. However, President Donald Trump has so far refused to strike the Houthis. The disagreements between Washington and Riyadh did not arise out of nowhere. In May, Saudi authorities temporarily restricted US military access to their bases and airspace as part of Operation Project Freedom to ensure tanker passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Riyadh feared that participation in the operation could provoke a new escalation of conflict with Iran. After personal negotiations between Donald Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the restrictions were lifted. Now the situation has changed: Saudi Arabia itself is asking the US for military support to fight the Houthis.