Houthis push for control of Yemen highlands as Trump reported to have called off airstrikes

On Monday, Houthi fighters pushed to secure key mountainous terrain in Yemen to isolate the remaining areas under Saudi-backed control near the Red Sea coast. This intensified conflict, initiated by Iran-backed Houthi forces, has escalated tensions in the Middle East region and endangered global energy supplies. Despite pleas from Saudi Arabia to join the fight, the United States under President Donald Trump reportedly canceled planned airstrikes on the Houthis at the last minute, as per a New York Times report. However, the veracity of this claim remains unverified by Reuters.

The Houthis, who have controlled Yemen's capital since 2014, had recently seized the country's Red Sea coast, extending their influence from the south to the coastal region. In response, Saudi Arabia launched hundreds of airstrikes against the Houthis' positions in the highlands. Yet, the air superiority of Saudi Arabia has thus far failed to halt the Houthis' advance, as government forces have largely withdrawn.

According to the United Nations, the conflict has resulted in nearly 700 deaths and thousands of injuries, with over 120,000 Yemenis fleeing their homes within the country and thousands more crossing the Red Sea to neighboring nations.