Trump Rejects Saudi Crown Prince's Request to Attack Houthis
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) reportedly called US President Donald Trump twice on Thursday (10/9) local time, urging him to launch attacks against the Houthi group based in Yemen. Trump has reportedly rejected MBS’s request.
This information, as reported by Reuters on Friday (11/9/2026), was revealed by Axios in its latest report, citing two US officials familiar with the situation. According to the US officials quoted by Axios, the Trump administration has no intention of taking direct military action against the Houthis at this time.
Reuters could not immediately verify the report. The White House and the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Washington DC have not yet responded.
Axios reports that the US is increasingly concerned about the rapidly escalating conflict in Yemen and is increasing support for Saudi Arabia, which is embroiled in the conflict, while simultaneously attempting to avoid direct military involvement.
The Axios report mentions that the Commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), overseeing US military operations in the Middle East, Admiral Brad Cooper, departed for Saudi Arabia on Thursday (10/9) to conduct urgent coordination talks.
According to the Axios report, US military and civilian officials have also informed their Saudi partners in recent weeks that Trump’s directive is for American forces to remain focused on Iran and the security of the Strait of Hormuz, while avoiding the emergence of another military front.
A Reuters report in early July mentioned that Saudi Arabia is seeking to form an international coalition to protect shipping in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks, as tensions continue to rise within and around the Yemen region.
The Yemen conflict has recently heated up again after a period of relative calm following a previously agreed ceasefire. The latest escalation began in early July, when the Houthi group claimed their forces encountered Saudi ‘warplanes’ attempting to prevent an Iranian civilian aircraft from landing at Sanaa International Airport.
Since then, the Houthis have resumed attacks against Yemeni government forces, which are internationally supported, as well as targets within Saudi Arabia. The Houthis, who are backed by Iran, have also announced a maritime blockade of Saudi ports and have resumed attacks on vessels in the Red Sea.