Trump Says Houthis Asked US Not to Intervene in Yemen

President Donald Trump said Saturday that Yemen's Houthi fighters have contacted the United States to express they do not want a direct conflict, a claim that comes as the Iran-aligned group has seized control of Yemen's entire Red Sea coast, including the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Speaking to reporters during a visit to Dublin, Ireland, Trump stated, "The Houthis called us, and they don't want to fight with us. They don't want us to go after them." He added that the Houthis are allowing most ships to pass through the vital shipping corridor, with the exception of vessels from one country, which he did not name. The comments follow a rapid Houthi offensive this week that has captured key territory along the Red Sea, cementing their hold on the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical chokepoint for global trade and Saudi oil exports. The strait has become especially vital for Saudi Arabia since the ongoing Iran-U.S. war disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. A maritime security analyst noted that while the Houthis' advances strengthen their position, a full closure of the strait remains unlikely, though their capabilities to target shipping have expanded.