A former U.S. intelligence official warned that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) will “not forget” Washington’s decision to withhold air strikes against Houthi rebels, as tensions between Trump and Riyadh intensify over Yemen’s evolving conflict.
The rift between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia over the Houthis has deepened after a former senior U.S. intelligence official, Karen Gibson, warned that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) will “not forget” Washington’s decision to withhold air strikes against Houthi rebels. The warning comes as the Houthis expand their territorial presence along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, prompting the U.K. to pledge defensive air-to-air refueling support to Saudi Arabia.
A Former Official’s Warning
Retired Lieutenant General Karen Gibson, former director of intelligence at U.S. Central Command, told The Financial Times that the U.S. decision to hold back from launching fresh air strikes against the Iran-backed Houthis could reinforce Saudi concerns that Washington may not intervene when Riyadh considers its vital interests threatened. MBS will not forget this,
Gibson said, highlighting the potential long-term impact on U.S.-Saudi relations.
The U.S. has avoided new strikes against the Houthis despite repeated requests from Riyadh, opting instead to provide intelligence, weapons, and air-defense support. This stance contrasts sharply with the U.K.’s recent announcement to offer defensive air-to-air refueling
to Saudi Arabia, a move Bloomberg reported would begin within days and last several weeks. The U.K. is the first country to publicly announce such military assistance since Saudi Arabia sought help from both Washington and London this month.
Houthi Expansion and Regional Implications
The Houthis have significantly expanded their presence along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, including around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical maritime chokepoint. The Group of Seven warned that the Houthis’ recent territorial gains pose a threat to global shipping, underscoring the strategic importance of the region. Saudi Arabia, which has spent years trying to distance itself from the Yemen war following a truce with the Houthis, now faces renewed pressure as attacks on its infrastructure escalate.
Saudi authorities have attributed recent attacks to the Houthis, including an assault on a fuel facility at Riyadh’s main airport and a strike on a key oil pipeline. While Riyadh claims the pipeline attack originated from Iraq, where Iran-aligned militias operate, the Houthis have denied targeting U.S. or international ships, according to a Houthi official quoted by The Associated Press.
UK’s Military Support and Strategic Calculus
The U.K.’s decision to provide defensive air-to-air refueling to Saudi Arabia marks a shift in its approach to the Yemen conflict. London plans to urge other countries to assist Riyadh in countering the Houthis, arguing that pushing back against the group’s advances could protect the strategic waterway and regional stability. This move follows the U.K.’s participation in U.S.-led strikes against the Houthis in early 2024 over attacks on commercial vessels in the southern Red Sea.
The U.K.’s support comes amid heightened tensions between Riyadh and Washington. While Trump has sought to maintain close ties with MBS, the U.S. decision to withhold air strikes has placed additional strain on the relationship. The U.S. State Department also recently notified Congress of a proposed sale of nearly 50 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, though the aircraft would take years to reach the kingdom.
What This Means for Regional Dynamics
The divergence in U.S. and U.K. approaches to the Yemen conflict reflects broader strategic calculations. The U.S. aims to avoid wider regional escalation while managing the costs of its military operations and pressure from high energy prices. Meanwhile, the U.K.’s support for Saudi Arabia underscores its commitment to countering the Houthis’ advances and safeguarding global shipping routes.
The situation is set to take center stage as Trump meets with officials from the Gulf Cooperation Council in New York. The war involving Iran and the escalating Houthi threat are expected to be among the key issues under discussion. For Saudi Arabia, the U.S. decision to withhold strikes and the U.K.’s military support highlight the complex web of alliances and strategic interests shaping the region.