US President Donald Trump declined two requests by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to strike Yemen’s “Houthis”, Axios reported, to Yemeni revolutionary forces who are known by their clan affiliation.
Citing two US officials, Axios reported that bin Salman called US President Donald Trump twice on Thursday and urged him to launch the strikes.
Trump rejected the request, and US officials said the administration does not intend to take direct military action against Sanaa at this time, the report said.
Saudi crown prince urged Trump to strike Houthis amid Red Sea threat https://t.co/d6M2NHpqx9
— Axios (@axios) September 11, 2026
According to Axios, the US is “increasingly concerned about the rapidly escalating conflict in Yemen and is stepping up support for Saudi Arabia while seeking to avoid direct military involvement.”
Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of the US Central Command, traveled to Saudi Arabia on Thursday for urgent coordination talks, according to the report.
US military and civilian officials have also told their Saudi counterparts in recent weeks that Trump’s directive “is to keep American forces focused on Iran and safeguarding the Strait of Hormuz, while avoiding the opening of another military front,” Axios added.
Axios’ report comes amid rapid developments in Yemen, where Yemeni Armed Forces have reportedly made advances along the western coastline, capturing key positions overlooking the strategic Bab Al-Mandeb Strait.
Source: Axios (edited by Al-Manar)