Yemen Appeals to Trump for Aid Against Houthis; US Reportedly Halted Airstrike
SingTao · 2 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Yemen's top leader called on US President Donald Trump for military assistance against Houthi forces that have seized strategic territory along the Red Sea, as the White House reportedly prepared then called off a strike at the last moment. The crisis has escalated with attacks reaching the Saudi capital Riyadh, prompting regional concerns about maritime security in one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.
Key Points
- Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi telephoned Trump on Sunday seeking military support against Houthi forces
- Houthis have captured multiple strategic positions near the Bab-el-Mandeb strait and are advancing along Yemen's Red Sea coastline
- The New York Times reported that Trump initially ordered the Pentagon to prepare airstrikes but reversed the decision before noon the same day
- According to the UN, the latest round of fighting has killed nearly 700 people and displaced approximately 130,000 within Yemen
- Houthis claimed responsibility for firing missiles at Riyadh, with witnesses reporting explosions and smoke near the airport
Why It Matters
The Bab-el-Mandeb strait connects the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean and handles significant global shipping traffic; continued Houthi control could disrupt international trade routes . While the US has maintained communication with Houthis under a deal preventing attacks on American vessels, the group's expansion tests Washington's ability to remain uninvolved in Yemen's civil war .
The Bab-el-Mandeb strait connects the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean and handles significant global shipping traffic; continued Houthi control could disrupt international trade routes . While the US has maintained communication with Houthis under a deal preventing attacks on American vessels, the group's expansion tests Washington's ability to remain uninvolved in Yemen's civil war .