Iran-Backed Houthi Rebels Expand Strikes to Saudi Arabia, Alarm US

Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen say they launched attacks against Saudi Arabia, alarming the United States.

The US warned that fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis could escalate rapidly after a missile attack targeted Riyadh on Saturday, the first since the Yemen conflict resumed. A fire broke out near Riyadh's main airport on Saturday morning after Houthis said they launched missiles and drones. Saudi Arabia stated its air defenses destroyed a ballistic missile fired by Houthi rebels at Riyadh.

US President Donald Trump spoke by phone with Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi on Sunday, discussing Houthi advances around a vital global waterway. Alimi requested US support for his Saudi-backed government against the Houthis, who took key areas along the Bab al-Mandeb strait in a lightning offensive this month. Two sources, one Yemeni and one Western, said Trump made no direct pledge of military support during the call.

Trump considered ordering a strike against the Houthis over the weekend but decided to hold off, according to two US officials. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called Trump twice ten days ago, urging strikes against the Houthis as they neared a Red Sea chokepoint. Trump rejected this request, agreeing only to help the Saudis with intelligence and targeting data.

US officials stated they would not take military action if Houthis did not interrupt non-Saudi ship traffic in the Red Sea. The US has designated the Houthis as a terrorist organization. Mohamed al-Bukhaiti, a senior Houthi official, told The Associated Press on Sunday that his group assured the Trump administration it would not attack US vessels in the Red Sea. He also warned countries against joining Saudi Arabia in Yemen's revived civil war. The White House and Yemen's information minister did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding Trump's call with Alimi.