The conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi movement has intensified, with the Houthis carrying out attacks against Saudi targets. Saudi Arabia has sought military assistance from the United States, but Washington has so far ruled out direct military action.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly spoke with US President Donald Trump and requested American military support against the Houthis. According to Reuters, Washington told Riyadh that it would not launch direct attacks for now, although the US would continue providing intelligence and targeting assistance.
The development comes amid a major Houthi offensive along Yemen’s Red Sea coast. The group has captured strategic areas, including the port of Mokha and territory near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, while Saudi-backed forces have suffered setbacks.
Secret US-Houthi Meeting in Oman
Reuters reported that US officials secretly met representatives of the Houthis at the US Embassy in Muscat, Oman, over the weekend. Five sources familiar with the talks said Oman helped facilitate the meeting. The US government has not officially confirmed the details.
According to sources, Houthi representatives assured US officials that they remained committed to the 2025 ceasefire with Washington and did not intend to target American vessels in the Red Sea. They also reportedly said they would not target Israeli or other commercial ships, with Saudi-linked vessels treated separately.
The talks are significant because the Trump administration designated the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in March 2025. The US had previously carried out weeks of airstrikes against Houthi targets before reaching a ceasefire in May 2025.
Saudi Arabia Seeks Wider Support
Saudi Arabia is also seeking help from other countries as the Houthi threat grows. The kingdom has reportedly asked countries including Pakistan, France, Britain and Egypt for air-defence assistance as concerns grow over missile-interceptor supplies.
The US says it continues to support Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s internationally recognised government, but Washington is currently avoiding direct military intervention against the Houthis. The situation has added another layer of tension to the wider regional conflict and raised concerns over security in the Red Sea and the strategically important Bab el-Mandeb shipping route.
