Trump rejects Saudi request for action against Houthis, says US media

Axios, a US news website, has claimed that the Saudi Crown Prince spoke to US President Donald Trump by telephone twice yesterday over the threat posed by the Houthis in the Red Sea.

According to the report, Mohammed bin Salman urged Trump to take action against the Houthis, but the US president refused.

According to Axios, Trump has directed the US military to keep its focus on Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. Trump is reluctant to open another front in Yemen.

According to the report, the United States will provide Saudi Arabia with intelligence and information on targets against the Houthis. The United States will focus on protecting freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. Regional allies will be put in the front line to deal with the Houthis.

According to Axios, US military and civilian officials have been in contact with their Saudi counterparts in recent weeks. Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command, travelled to Saudi Arabia yesterday for emergency coordination meetings.

According to the US news website, the Saudi embassy in Washington and the White House declined to comment on the matter.

It may be recalled that a few days ago, Yemen’s Houthi group, Ansarullah, carried out attacks in Saudi Arabia in which 73 people were injured, including women and children.