Trump administration has no plans to strike Houthis for now, 2 US officials say
The U.S. is offering intel and targeting assistance to Saudi Arabia, they say.
The Trump administration is offering significant intelligence and targeting assistance to Saudi Arabia but does not currently plan on launching direct military attacks against the Houthis, two U.S. officials told ABC News.
Both officials cautioned that the administration’s thinking could change, particularly if the threat to Red Sea shipping lanes escalates significantly.
As part of the U.S.' support for Saudi Arabia, U.S. Central Command commander Adm. Brad Cooper traveled to the country for meetings on Thursday, according to one of the officials. Central Command declined to comment.
Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman spoke with President Donald Trump about the situation twice on Thursday, one official said, adding that the Saudi leader was seeking direct military intervention from the U.S. but that he did not indicate it was absolutely critical.
"The United States is focused on protecting our core national security interests—such as ensuring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea -- while empowering our regional partners to take the lead in managing and resolving regional security challenges,” a senior Trump administration official said when asked about the president’s calls with bin Salman. "We are in continuous dialogue with Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Yemen Government regarding regional stability.”
Another official said the Saudi government has communicated in recent days a willingness to launch a major military operation against the Houthis, even if it means going it alone, but that Riyadh had not yet made a final decision.
Both officials said that the Trump administration is continuing to closely monitor the situation in Yemen and that although assessments from earlier Friday indicated that the Houthis had taken control of the country’s west coast, Yemeni government forces and aligned militias were continuing to fight back and the situation could still change rapidly without outside intervention.
The Houthis and their Iranian backers are aware that attempting to choke off traffic in the Strait of Bab al-Mandeb would very likely trigger a stronger response from Saudi Arabia, the U.S., and potentially other countries. They have issued multiple statements indicating the strait is open to commercial traffic, but Houthi strikes on Saudi-linked ships have increased the risk level for all vessels, according to analysts.
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