Houthis push for control of Yemen highlands

The Houthis have pushed to seize strategic heights in Yemen, aiming to cut off the Red Sea coast from areas under Saudi-backed control, following reports that US President Donald Trump had canceled US strikes on the group at the last minute. This lightning advance by the Houthi group has escalated the Middle East conflict to a new theater and threatened global energy supplies.

Despite repeated requests from Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the US has not joined the fight. The New York Times reported that the Trump administration prepared to launch airstrikes on Sunday against the Houthis following pleas from the Saudi crown prince, but Trump last-minute canceled the airstrikes. Saudi Arabia has been launching strikes in the highlands, with explosions heard and smoke visible near the airport.

The Houthis claim they fired missiles at Riyadh, but the Saudis have not commented. Fighting has intensified in the Houthis' push to seize strategic heights, known as the Kahboub Mountains, in the provinces of Taiz and Lahij, which separate the Red Sea coast from government-held southern Yemen. The Houthis' advance threatens Saudi oil exports, which have shifted to the Strait of Hormuz as an alternative route, with exports reaching 2.9 million barrels per day.