Houthi Backed by Iran, Yemen Leader Reaches Out to Trump

Yemen is struggling to confront the Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran. The head of the Yemeni government, Rashad al-Alimi, has requested assistance from US President Donald Trump.

As reported by AFP on Tuesday (22/09/2026), the request for aid was made by Al-Alimi during a telephone conversation with Trump on Sunday (20/09) local time. According to a source from Al-Alimi’s office, Trump did not promise US military support to Al-Alimi.

The telephone conversation, according to the source, was intended as a gesture of solidarity with the Yemeni government, which is currently under pressure after the Houthis successfully seized control of Yemen’s entire coastal region along the Red Sea in a recent lightning offensive.

Al-Alimi leads the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, which is supported by Saudi Arabia. Yemeni government forces are fighting the Houthis with air support from the Saudi-led coalition.

Al-Alimi’s request follows a series of Houthi attacks on Riyadh on Saturday (19/09) local time. This marks the first Houthi attack targeting the Saudi capital in recent years and signifies a major escalation.

Leading US media outlets have reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has also urged Trump to launch direct attacks against the Houthis, who have repeatedly attacked the kingdom since last July.

A report from the New York Times (NYT) stated that MBS called Trump again on Sunday (20/09) local time to