{
  "id": 8912708,
  "title": "Houthis push for control of Yemen highlands as Trump reported to have called off airstrikes",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/houthis-push-for-control-of-yemen-highlands-as-trump-reported-to-have-8912708",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-21T11:49:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Channel News Asia",
    "slug": "channel-news-asia",
    "url": "https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/houthis-fight-yemen-highlands-control-trump-airstrikes-6399591"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Houthi fighters in Yemen are pushing to take control of strategic highlands in the country's highlands, aiming to cut off the Red Sea coast from areas held by Saudi-backed forces, following reports that US President Donald Trump called off US strikes against the group at the last minute. The advance by the Iran-backed Houthi group has expanded the Middle East conflict, posing a threat to global energy supplies. Saudi Arabia has launched airstrikes against the Houthi positions in the highlands, but their air power advantage has not halted the Houthi advance. The Houthis have seized strategic heights, known as the Kahboub Mountains, in two provinces, Taiz and Lahij, which separate the Red Sea coast from the government-held south. This control would allow the Houthi forces to open new fronts and protect their exposed positions captured during their recent advance. The escalating conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis has created a dilemma for Trump, who must balance his support for the Saudi allies and avoid further expanding the unpopular war he initiated. The Houthi's newfound control of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, risks disrupting Saudi Arabia's oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Saudi Arabia has increased oil shipments through Hormuz, where tankers are paying record fees to brave the wartime risks. The conflict has resulted in numerous casualties, with over 700 people killed and thousands injured, as well as more than 120,000 Yemenis fleeing their homes within the country and thousands more fleeing by boat to Africa.",
  "summary": "US President Donald Trump reportedly called off the airstrikes at the last minute, even as troops were loading bombs onto aircraft.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Investing.com",
        "title": "Houthis push for control of Yemen highlands as Trump reported to have called off airstrikes",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/houthis-push-for-control-of-yemen-highlands-as-trump-reported-to-have",
        "published": "2026-09-21T11:12:40.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Trump reverses course on strikes against Houthis",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/trump-reverses-course-on-strikes-against-houthis",
        "published": "2026-09-21T11:43:36.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "Houthis push for control of Yemen highlands as Trump reported to have called off airstrikes",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/houthis-push-for-control-of-yemen-highlands-as-trump-reported-to-have-8912789",
        "published": "2026-09-21T11:46:30.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}