US Calls Off Planned Houthi Strikes at the Last Minute

The United States had reportedly prepared for airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen but President Donald Trump called off the operation at the last minute. The reported preparations came amid appeals from Saudi Arabia for military assistance as the Iran-backed Houthis expanded their control over strategic areas along Yemen’s Red Sea coast. Reports said targets had been identified and military preparations were underway before Trump reversed the decision. The White House has not publicly provided a detailed explanation for the reported cancellation.

Reports suggest that concerns within the US administration over opening another military front may have contributed to the decision. The United States is already involved in the wider conflict with Iran, while Washington has sought to avoid deeper involvement in the renewed Yemen conflict. Meanwhile, Houthi political bureau member Mohammed al-Bukhaiti said the group would not target US vessels in the Red Sea. He said Washington and the Houthis had held discussions and claimed that Houthi attacks would remain focused on Saudi-linked targets unless other countries joined Saudi Arabia militarily against the group.