WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has halted a potential military operation against Yemen’s Houthis at the last minute, despite targets reportedly being selected and preparations underway to arm American warplanes for possible strikes.
According to US officials, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman contacted President Trump on Thursday over the Houthis’ escalating attacks. Following the call, Trump directed the Pentagon to prepare for possible military action.
The US military had reportedly drawn up a list of potential targets and was preparing fighter aircraft for an operation. However, Trump subsequently reversed the decision and suspended plans for airstrikes.
US officials said Washington is already deploying significant military resources in its ongoing conflict with Iran, and opening another front against the Houthis could place additional pressure on American forces.
The report also said that the Houthis’ indication under a previous agreement brokered by Oman that they would refrain from targeting US naval vessels was an important factor in the decision to hold off on military action.
Officials warned that a US attack could increase the risk of Houthi attacks on American naval forces, while commercial activity in the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb is already facing disruption.
For now, the United States has continued to support Saudi Arabia while refraining from direct military action against the Houthis.
The development follows reported missile and drone attacks by the Houthis on several Saudi cities, as well as their advances in areas along the Red Sea coast, prompting Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to seek US support.