Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman contacted U.S. President Donald Trump twice on Thursday, urging the administration to authorize attacks on Iran-backed Houthis, according to reports citing anonymous U.S. officials. The request followed Houthis advancing toward the strategic port of Mokha and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a critical maritime route for global trade. Despite the pressure, Trump declined, with U.S. officials stating the administration had no plans for direct intervention against the Houthis.
The Saudi prince’s appeals coincided with heightened concerns over regional stability. Houthis, who have controlled parts of Yemen since 2014, launched attacks on Saudi cities, prompting the Saudi-led coalition to retaliate. U.S. officials emphasized that Washington would not escalate the conflict but would continue providing intelligence and non-kinetic support to Saudi Arabia, including the deployment of around 200 U.S. military personnel in the kingdom. A senior U.S. official described this support as kinetik olmayan destek,
focusing on surveillance and targeting data rather than direct combat roles.
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The Houthis’ movement toward the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a chokepoint for 7% of global oil shipments, triggered fears of disrupted trade and rising energy prices. The U.S. acknowledged the strategic importance of the strait, with a senior U.S. official stating that the U.S. is focused on protecting its fundamental national security interests, such as ensuring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, while strengthening regional partners to take the lead in managing and resolving regional security issues. The official added that the U.S. maintains continuous dialogue with Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni Government on regional stability. This approach reflects Washington’s reluctance to expand its involvement in Yemen’s civil war, which has already drawn in multiple regional powers.
Saudi Arabia responded with counterstrikes against Houthi positions, targeting areas near Taiz and Marib. The attacks, which caused temporary disruptions to energy infrastructure, underscored the kingdom’s resolve to defend its interests. A Saudi Energy Ministry source confirmed that several energy sector facilities were hit, though no immediate casualties were reported. The conflict has intensified since July, when Houthis challenged Saudi air sovereignty, sparking a cycle of retaliation. According to SOURCE 5, the Houthis’ recent attacks on Saudi oil facilities resulted in 73 injuries, with some petroleum operations halted temporarily.
Turkey condemned the Houthis’ attacks on Saudi Arabia, vowing to strongly denounce their disregard for civilian lives and regional stability. The statement, issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry, reiterated Ankara’s support for Saudi sovereignty and called for an immediate end to the violence. A statement from the Turkish Foreign Ministry stated the Turkish government strongly condemns the Houthis’ attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, which disregard the safety of civilians and property and escalate regional tensions. The statement reiterated Ankara’s support for Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. This marked a shift in Turkey’s typically cautious stance, reflecting growing concerns over the conflict’s spillover effects.
Axios yazdı: Suudi Arabistan ABD Başkanı Trump'tan Husilere saldırmasını
Diplomatic efforts remain stalled as both sides escalate hostilities. Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faysal bin Farhan emphasized the kingdom’s commitment to peace but warned against undermining its security. Analysts note that Saudi Arabia faces a delicate balancing act: maintaining U.S. support while avoiding direct confrontation with Iran, whose influence in the region continues to grow. The Houthis, designated as a terrorist group by Saudi Arabia and its allies, are affiliated with the Ansar Allah movement, according to SOURCE 1.
The situation underscores the fragile dynamics of the Middle East, where local conflicts risk broader geopolitical upheaval. With the U.S. adopting a restrained approach and regional actors like Turkey and Iran vying for influence, the path to stability remains uncertain. Meanwhile, the Houthis’ advances have intensified pressure on Saudi Arabia to defend its territorial integrity. SOURCE 5 notes that the Houthis are attempting to seize control of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a critical corridor for oil exports, as Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz complicates regional trade flows.
Suudi Veliaht Prensi Trump’tan Husilere saldırı istedi, reddedildi
U.S. military involvement in the region has focused on indirect support rather than direct combat. ABD Merkez Kuvvetler Komutanı Brad Cooper, the head of U.S. Central Command, visited Saudi Arabia for emergency coordination meetings on Thursday, according to SOURCE 3. This visit highlighted Washington’s efforts to manage the crisis without escalating tensions with Iran. However, the U.S. has also faced domestic and international pressure to address the humanitarian impact of the Yemen conflict, which has left millions in need of aid.
Saudi Arabia’s response to the Houthis has also drawn scrutiny from the international community. The kingdom’s recent counterstrikes against Houthi positions near Taiz and Marib have been condemned by some as disproportionate, though Saudi officials argue they are necessary to prevent further advances. SOURCE 5 states that the Houthis have seized control of parts of Yemen’s most populous regions, including areas near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and complicating efforts to broker a political solution.
The conflict’s escalation has also strained Saudi-U.S. relations. Earlier in the year, Saudi Arabia criticized Trump’s administration for imposing sanctions over the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, with Riyadh warning that any further punitive measures would face a stronger response.
SOURCE 6 details this tension, as Saudi Arabia’s state news agency SPA stated, A statement from Saudi Arabia’s state news agency SPA stated a stronger response would be given to any further action. This underscores the complex interplay between regional security and diplomatic ties in the Gulf.
