Yemen's Houthis pledge not to target US ships after Trump cancels strikes
A senior Houthi official said Washington reached out after the group's advance to Bab el-Mandeb, as US media reported Trump cancelled planned strikes at the last minute after a call with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
On Sunday, US President Donald Trump decided against launching military strikes against Houthi forces in Yemen despite the targets being selected and bombs being loaded onto US warplanes. This decision came as Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia intensified, with the group expanding its control over strategic territory along Yemen's Red Sea coast.
The issue gained urgency after Houthi missile and drone attacks targeted Riyadh and other Saudi locations. President Trump had previously considered requests from Saudi Arabia, a key US ally, for American military support. However, he ultimately changed course and instructed the Pentagon to prepare for possible military action, only to reverse his decision on Sunday.
The reasons behind Trump's decision are complex, with strategic calculations, the need to avoid overextending US military resources, and the risk of escalating a broader conflict in the Middle East among the factors. Additionally, the Houthis have refrained from attacking American ships under an understanding reached with Washington, and any strikes could potentially draw American forces into another prolonged conflict.
Written by urgent.news from Gulf News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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