Fighting continues between Yemen gov’t forces, Houthis: What is the latest?

US President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that the Yemeni Houthi rebels had asked the United States not to intervene in their ongoing conflict with Saudi Arabia. According to Trump, the Houthis informed the US that they did not wish to engage in combat with American forces and expressed their lack of desire for his military involvement.

Trump further mentioned that the Houthis are permitting most ships to pass through the Red Sea, with only one country causing them concern. He pledged to address this issue in the near future. The Houthis recently expanded their control along Yemen's Red Sea coast, seizing strategic islands and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial shipping route linking the Arabian Gulf to Africa.

This strategic expansion threatens global oil supplies and has led to tensions between the Houthis and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which supports Yemen's internationally recognized government. Saudi Arabia had reportedly requested Trump to strike the Houthis twice, but Trump declined the request. Saudi Arabia also announced a temporary shutdown of its East-West Pipeline after drones launched from Iraq attacked its infrastructure.

The Kingdom stated it would not retaliate at the moment, following the Iraqi request. Meanwhile, Iraq launched an investigation into the attack and confirmed the presence of drone launchers near the Iraq-Iran border. Trump suggested that Iran might be behind the attack but has not provided evidence. He also expressed that he had spoken to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom he described as a "friend."

The recent Houthis' drone and missile attack on Saudi Arabian oil facilities has further escalated the conflict and threatens to increase energy prices. On Saturday evening, a Houthi projectile injured two people near the border between Yemen and Saudi Arabia, hours after the government issued warnings of potential attacks.