Houthi fighters have made significant advances in Yemen, aiming to control strategic areas that could cut off access to the Red Sea for Saudi-backed forces. This escalation comes after a report that President Donald Trump halted US airstrikes on the Houthis at the last moment. The conflict has widened the ongoing tensions in the Middle East and threatens global energy supplies.
Despite repeated requests from Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for assistance, the US has not committed to joining the fight in Yemen. Recently, the Houthis claimed to have launched attacks on Riyadh, coinciding with loud explosions in the area, but Saudi Arabia has not confirmed these strikes.
According to a report, the Trump administration was prepared to conduct airstrikes against the Houthis but abruptly canceled the operation. Trump spoke to Rashid al-Alimi, Yemen’s president supported by Saudi Arabia, who requested military assistance, but Trump did not make a definitive promise of help.
The Houthis have controlled Yemen’s capital since 2014 and have now taken over the Red Sea coast. In response, Saudi Arabia has intensified its airstrikes against Houthi positions in the mountains. The United Nations has reported a tragic increase in casualties and the number of displaced individuals due to the recent fighting. Many Yemenis are fleeing to Africa by boat or relocating within Yemen.
Currently, the Houthis are targeting strategic heights known as the Kahboub Mountains to separate the Red Sea coast from areas controlled by the Saudi-backed government. They are focusing their efforts on regions in Taiz and Lahij provinces to solidify their control and potentially open new fronts in the conflict.
The ongoing clash creates a challenge for Trump, who is under pressure to support Saudi Arabia while also trying to avoid deepening US involvement in the unpopular war against Iran. After previous airstrikes against the Houthis in early 2025 ended in a ceasefire, the US has largely remained uninvolved.
The Houthis’ control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait poses a risk to Saudi oil exports, leading to an increase in shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, where risks are elevated but necessary for oil transport. Despite these precautions, global oil prices remain high, with diesel prices in the US reaching record levels. In the latest maritime incident, a vessel in Hormuz was struck by a projectile, highlighting ongoing security concerns in the region.
Diplomatic efforts concerning the broader conflict have largely stalled, especially following the failure of a June agreement between the US and Iran.
With information from Reuters
