Saudi Crown Prince Urges Trump for Direct Strikes on Houthis as Rebels Seize Yemen's Red Sea Coastline
Houthi advances in Yemen prompt Saudi appeals to Trump for intervention, met with U.S. advisory support but no direct strikes; corroborated by Axios, CNN, Al Jazeera, NYT.
Multiple credible reports confirm that Iran-backed Houthi forces seized the strategic Red Sea port city of Mocha (Mokha) on September 10, 2026, and advanced to control much of Yemen's western coastline, including areas near the Bab al-Mandab Strait.[1][2] This development has heightened concerns over global shipping routes and Saudi oil exports via the Red Sea, especially amid broader regional tensions involving Iran.
According to Axios, citing U.S. officials, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) made two urgent calls to President Trump on September 11, urging American strikes against the Houthis. Trump declined, with the administration emphasizing no plans for direct U.S. military intervention at this time.[3][4] U.S. Central Command commander Adm. Brad Cooper traveled to Saudi Arabia for coordination meetings.
CNN reported that over 100 U.S. military advisers (with one source estimating around 200) are on the ground in Saudi Arabia as part of a new joint task force providing intelligence and targeting support against the Houthis, though not participating in strikes.[5]
The situation revives elements of the earlier Saudi-led campaign in Yemen (2015-2022), with Houthis also claiming attacks on Saudi targets. Reports indicate limited direct U.S. kinetic involvement, focusing instead on support for Riyadh while prioritizing Iran-related threats.
[Geopolitical Analyst]: Escalation risks higher oil prices and shipping disruptions via Bab al-Mandab, but U.S. restraint suggests focus on containing Iran without new ground commitments in Yemen.
Sources (5)
- [1]Yemen’s Houthis seize strategic Red Sea city of Mocha(https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/9/10/yemens-houthis-seize-strategic-red-sea-city-of-mocha)
- [2]Saudi crown prince urged Trump to strike Houthis amid Red Sea threat(https://www.axios.com/2026/09/11/houthis-yemen-saudi-trump-mbs-strikes)
- [3]EXCLUSIVE: US expands intel, targeting support for Saudi campaign against Iranian ally(https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/10/politics/us-military-support-saudi-arabia-houthi-iran-yemen)
- [4]Houthi Militias Take Control of Strategic Red Sea Port in Yemen(https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/10/world/middleeast/yemens-houthis-seize-strategic-red-sea-port-officials-say.html)
- [5]Trump declines Saudi crown prince's call for US strikes on Houthis, Axios reports(https://www.reuters.com/world/trump-declines-saudi-crown-princes-call-us-strikes-houthis-axios-reports-2026-09-11/)