The report said the Trump administration had been considering a Saudi request for US military assistance against the Houthis for nearly two weeks as the group expanded its control over strategic areas along Yemen’s Red Sea coast and intensified attacks against Saudi Arabia.
According to the New York Times, the issue reached a critical stage after Mohammed bin Salman spoke directly with Trump on Thursday and again urged the US president to take military action against the Houthis.
A day before the call, Trump had told advisers that he did not support US airstrikes against the Houthis. Following the conversation with the Saudi crown prince, however, he changed his position and ordered the Pentagon to prepare for possible strikes.
The US military began preparations for the operation, with commanders drawing up a list of potential Houthi targets and aircraft being loaded with munitions, the report said.
The planned strikes were reportedly close to being launched when Trump reversed his decision again and ordered the operation to be called off.
The White House press office declined to comment on Trump’s internal deliberations. A senior US administration official told the newspaper that Washington has a defence agreement with Saudi Arabia and would defend its allies.
The report said several people close to Trump have serious reservations about direct US involvement in the Saudi-Houthi conflict or oppose such involvement.
Trump also told Fox News on Sunday that he was still considering his options regarding the broader conflict involving Iran. Asked about the Houthis, he said the US remained in communication with the group and indicated that the Houthis had agreed not to attack US targets.
The latest developments come amid a sharp escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. Reuters reported that the two sides exchanged attacks in recent days, while Houthi forces have expanded their presence along Yemen’s Red Sea coast.
Earlier reports had indicated that Trump initially rejected Saudi requests for direct US strikes against the Houthis. Reuters reported that Washington instead offered Riyadh intelligence-sharing and targeting assistance.
The Houthi advance towards the Bab el-Mandeb Strait has raised concerns over international shipping and Saudi oil exports. Reuters reported that more than 100,000 people have been displaced by the renewed fighting in Yemen.
The developments also come as Washington remains engaged in the wider US-Iran conflict, raising concerns that direct US military involvement against the Houthis could further expand the regional conflict.
