Yemen: Houthi fighters were pushing on Monday to capture strategic high ground in Yemen, seeking to sever the Red Sea coast from areas still controlled by Saudi-backed forces, after reports that US President Donald Trump had called off planned airstrikes against the group.
The Houthi advance this month has opened a new front in the wider Middle East conflict and raised further concerns over global energy supplies and shipping routes.
Washington has so far rejected repeated appeals from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to join military operations against the Houthis in Yemen.
The Houthis said on Saturday that they had launched attacks toward Riyadh, with loud explosions followed by columns of smoke reported near the Saudi capital’s airport. Saudi authorities have not commented on what appeared to be the first strikes targeting Riyadh since the latest escalation began.
The New York Times reported that the Trump administration had prepared to launch airstrikes against the Houthis on Sunday following another request from the Saudi crown prince.
However, according to the report, Trump ordered the strikes to be called off at the last minute, even as US troops were reportedly loading bombs onto aircraft.
Reuters said it could not immediately independently verify the report. The US military’s Central Command also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The reported decision comes as Houthi forces continue their push to expand control over strategic areas of Yemen, potentially putting further pressure on regional security and key global energy routes.