U.S. President Donald Trump called off a planned military operation against Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement at the last minute, even after American aircraft had reportedly been prepared for strikes, according to reports by The New York Times and Reuters.
The operation was being prepared after Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman urged Trump to intervene against the Houthis, who have recently made significant advances in Yemen and launched attacks against Saudi Arabia.
According to the reports, Trump initially ordered the U.S. military to prepare airstrikes against Houthi targets. By Sunday, target lists had reportedly been approved and bombs were being loaded onto U.S. aircraft when the White House ordered the operation halted.
The U.S. Central Command, which oversees American military operations in the Middle East, directed questions about the reported decision to the White House. The White House did not immediately comment on the matter.
The development came amid an escalating conflict between Saudi-backed Yemeni forces and the Houthis. The group has advanced toward strategic areas near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a major international shipping route linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.
Reuters also reported that Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi spoke with Trump on Sunday and requested U.S. military support for his Saudi-backed government in its fight against the Houthis. Four sources familiar with the conversation said Trump did not commit to providing direct military assistance.
The latest decision follows earlier U.S. reluctance to become directly involved in Saudi Arabia’s renewed confrontation with the Houthis. Reuters reported earlier in September that Washington had agreed to provide intelligence-sharing and targeting assistance but had declined Saudi requests for direct U.S. strikes.
The situation has broader regional implications because of the Houthis’ position near the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The group’s military activity in the area has raised concerns about disruptions to international shipping and energy supplies, adding another pressure point to an already volatile Middle East situation.
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