Report: Trump Halts Planned Military Strikes Against Houthi Rebels in Yemen

Sept 22 (Jowhar) - As the situation in the Yemen conflict rapidly changes, Houthi fighters are striving to seize strategic high ground, aiming to cut off the Red Sea coast from other territories held by Saudi-backed forces. This move comes after reports that U.S. President Donald Trump has, at the last minute, halted planned U.S. airstrikes against the group.

The Houthis, supported by Iran, have made rapid and significant advances this month, shifting the conflict in the Middle East to a new front and increasing concerns over global energy supplies.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has repeatedly urged Washington to join the fight in Yemen, but the U.S. has so far rejected those requests.

On Saturday, the Houthis claimed to have launched an attack on Riyadh, where large explosions were reported, with columns of smoke visible near the airport.

Saudi Arabia has not commented on what appeared to be the first attack on the capital since the conflict escalated.

The *New York Times* reported that the Trump administration had prepared to carry out airstrikes against the Houthis yesterday following new requests from the Saudi Crown Prince.

However, the newspaper stated that Mr. Trump canceled those strikes at the last minute, while troops were loading bombs onto aircraft.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has forwarded questions to the White House.

The White House did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on the matter.

Mr. Trump spoke yesterday with Rashid al-Alimi, the president of the internationally recognized Yemeni government supported by Saudi Arabia, who requested military assistance from the U.S., according to four sources.

Two of those sources - one from Yemen and one from the West - stated that Mr. Trump did not make any direct commitment regarding military support during the conversation.