Axios: U.S. not planning direct strikes on Houthis for now despite repeated Saudi requests for American air support
Middle EastU.S.
The United States is not planning direct military action against the Houthis for now, despite repeated Saudi requests for U.S. airstrikes, Axios reported.
According to the report, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman called U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday to brief him on the planned Saudi operation and again request American strikes on Houthi targets.
A U.S. official told Axios that CENTCOM had serious reservations about launching strikes in Yemen and viewed a new campaign there as a distraction from its focus on Iran.
U.S. officials said Washington is still providing intelligence and targeting support, and that its position on direct involvement could change if the Saudi operation runs into difficulties.
