Trump Rejects Saudi Arabia's Request to Attack Houthis in Yemen
US President Donald Trump has reportedly rejected a direct request from Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) to conduct military attacks against Houthle forces in Yemen. This refusal underscores Washington’s reluctance to become more deeply involved in direct conflict within the region.
According to an Axios report citing two US officials, MBS made two telephone calls to Trump on Thursday (10/09/2026). During these conversations, the Crown Prince urged the US to execute military strikes targeting Houthi capabilities. However, Trump rejected the request, with US officials stating that the current administration has no intention of taking direct military action against the group.
Despite rejecting direct attacks, Washington has expressed deep concern over the intensifying conflict in Yemen. The US has chosen to strengthen support for Saudi Arabia without engaging militarily on the front lines. As part of urgent coordination, Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command (Centcom), travelled to Saudi Arabia on Thursday.
American military and civilian officials have reportedly been informing their Saudi counterparts regarding Trump’s mandate over the past few weeks. The primary focus of US forces currently remains on Iran and the security of the Strait of Hormuz, rather than opening a new military front in Yemen.
Saudi diplomatic efforts emerged following reports in early July suggesting that Riyadh was attempting to build an international coalition to protect Red Sea shipping lanes from Houthi attacks. Tensions in the region escalated sharply after Houthi forces claimed they had encountered Saudi fighter jets attempting to block Iranian civilian flights from landing at Sanaa International Airport.
To date, neither the White House nor the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Washington has provided an official response regarding the details of these discussions. Meanwhile, on the ground, Houthi forces, which control much of northwestern Yemen, continue to launch massive attacks against Yemeni government forces supported by the Saudi-led coalition.