Houthi fighters are moving to seize strategic terrain in Yemen that could cut the Red Sea coast off from Saudi-backed forces after President Trump reportedly called off US strikes as bombs were being loaded on to aircraft.
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Key facts
- Houthi fighters are moving to seize strategic heights in Yemen.
- Seizing the terrain would cut the Red Sea coast off from areas held by Saudi-backed forces.
- President Trump reportedly called off US strikes at the last minute, as bombs were being loaded on to aircraft.
- The move followed a call from Saudi Arabia for US assistance against the Houthis.
- Heavy fighting in Yemen has displaced tens of thousands of people in recent weeks.
Houthi fighters are moving to seize strategic heights in Yemen that would cut the Red Sea coast off from areas held by Saudi-backed forces, after President Donald Trump called off US strikes on the group at the last minute, according to the Guardian.
The strikes were reportedly halted as bombs were being loaded on to aircraft. The Guardian, citing the New York Times, reported that Trump changed his mind after a call from Saudi Arabia requesting US assistance against the Houthis.
According to the New York Times reporting cited by the Guardian, the US president had repeatedly changed his position in recent days over whether to authorise the strikes.
The developments come amid increasingly heavy fighting in Yemen, which has displaced tens of thousands of people in recent weeks.
Control of the strategic terrain the Houthis are advancing on would be significant because it would sever the Red Sea coast from areas held by Saudi-backed forces, according to the reporting.
The details reported by the New York Times and relayed by the Guardian could not be independently verified, and the White House and Saudi authorities had not publicly confirmed the account.
Why it matters
Yemen sits alongside the Red Sea, a critical corridor for global shipping, and Houthi control of strategic terrain could reshape the balance of the conflict. The reported last-minute reversal by the US president also raises questions about Washington's approach to a request from a key regional ally, Saudi Arabia.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Trump call off the US airstrikes?
According to the Guardian, citing the New York Times, Trump reportedly changed his mind after a call from Saudi Arabia for US assistance, with the strikes called off as bombs were being loaded on to aircraft. The sources do not provide a detailed reason for the reversal.
What terrain are the Houthis trying to seize?
The Houthis are moving to seize strategic heights in Yemen that would cut the Red Sea coast off from areas held by Saudi-backed forces, according to the Guardian.
What has been the human impact of the fighting?
The Guardian reports that increasingly heavy fighting in Yemen has displaced tens of thousands of people in recent weeks.
Timeline
- Houthis move to seize strategic terrain after Trump calls off airstrikes at last minute
The Guardian World: US president reportedly changed his mind over Saudi Arabia’s pleas for assistance as bombs were being loaded Houthi fighters are moving to seize strategic heights in Yemen that would cut the Red Sea coast off from areas held by Saudi-backed forces after Donald Trump called off U