U.S. military officials split over potential strikes against Yemen's Houthis
Pentagon leaders are divided on whether to support Saudi Arabia with air strikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen, after President Trump ordered and then cancelled an operation.
U.S. senior military officials are at odds over President Donald Trump's request to intervene in the Saudi-Yemen conflict, according to two unnamed sources. Saudi Arabia has pressed for American action after the Houthis claimed to have shot down a Saudi F-15 and advanced toward the oil-rich Marib province.
Some Pentagon leaders argue that opening a new front would strain already limited defensive and long-range weapons and note that the Houthis have not directly attacked U.S. vessels. Others contend that U.S. strikes would help Riyadh retaliate for recent Houthi attacks and that failing to act could be seen as abandoning a key regional partner.
Trump initially ordered strikes for Sunday afternoon, but the order was rescinded a few hours later. One senior officer warned that any operation against the Houthis could expose U.S. forces to heightened risk in the Middle East and in the ongoing Iran mission, including potential naval blockades in the Strait of Hormuz. The same officer indicated that the U.S. could still conduct limited strikes while managing those risks.
The internal disagreement highlights the pressure on the president as the United States remains engaged in a broader conflict with Iran and faces shortages of critical weaponry. Saudi officials have repeatedly asked for more direct U.S. military support, beyond intelligence sharing and advisory roles already provided.
After a phone call with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Trump asked the military for fresh strike options, prompting an emergency Pentagon meeting led by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Dan Caine. The Pentagon reportedly has sufficient assets in the region to act if ordered.
Violence in Yemen escalated over the weekend, with the Houthis reporting missile and drone attacks on sites in Riyadh and an Aramco facility in Yanbu. The group also advanced toward the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategic chokepoint for oil shipments.
The United States previously brokered a cease-fire with the Houthis last year, suspending direct attacks and prompting the rebels to cease targeting U.S. ships. Trump has recently said the Houthis have expressed a desire to avoid further U.S. involvement.