Trump Backs Saudi Crown Prince in Major Military Strike Against Yemen's Houthi Rebels
Former U.S. President Donald Trump gave full support to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for an unusual military operation against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. According to a report by journalist Barak Ravid on Axios, based on two U.S. government sources, the Saudi attack on Sanaa airport and the subsequent ballistic missile retaliation by the Houthis mark the most severe escalation across the border since 2022.
This development raises concerns about the collapse of an unofficial four-year ceasefire and the potential resumption of direct conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. Officials warn that such an escalation could worsen regional tensions and expand the confrontation between the U.S. and Iran. The report states that bin Salman informed Trump in advance and sought his backing, reflecting Saudi fears of a broader conflict requiring American military and diplomatic support.
Behind the scenes, Saudi Arabia requested U.S. support for possible strikes as early as the previous week. Saudi Ambassador meetings with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and subsequent communications culminated in Trump’s approval. The White House referenced Trump’s Fox News interview where he sharply criticized Iran.
The escalation began about ten days earlier when an Iranian airline, Mahan Air, landed in Sanaa to pick up senior Houthi officials attending the funeral of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. This was notable since direct flights from Iran to Sanaa had been blocked for a decade over arms transfer concerns. U.S. sources noted Mahan Air is sanctioned for links to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
On Monday, as the plane returned, the Saudi military bombed Sanaa airport, forcing the plane to divert to Al Hudaydah on the Red Sea coast. U.S. officials claimed the plane carried weapons and military advisors. In retaliation, the Houthis launched missiles and drones at Abha airport in Saudi Arabia and warned airlines against flying in Saudi airspace until the blockade is lifted.
