On September 12, 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump stated during a visit to Ireland that the Houthi movement had contacted the United States to request non-interference in Yemen. According to President Trump, discussions occurred in which he claimed the Houthis stated they do not want to fight U.S. forces or face attacks. This development unfolded as regional tensions intensified following Houthi advances across Yemen’s Red Sea coast and subsequent drone strikes on Saudi infrastructure.
U.S. Position on Saudi Military Requests
Simultaneously with President Trump’s remarks, two unnamed sources reported by Reuters on Friday stated that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made at least two telephone calls on Thursday to President Trump to request U.S. military assistance against the Houthis. This confirmed an earlier report by the news website Axios. According to the sources, Washington informed Riyadh that it does not intend to launch direct military action at this time, though it will provide intelligence-sharing and targeting support. A senior U.S. administration official, speaking anonymously, stated that Washington maintains ongoing dialogue with both Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni government.
Houthi Control of Bab el-Mandeb and Yemeni Government Operations
The Houthi movement completed its takeover of the Bab el-Mandeb region and the entire western coast of Yemen on Friday, September 11, 2026. This territorial expansion threatens a vital shipping lane for Saudi oil tankers connecting Asia and Europe. In response, the Yemeni government announced on Saturday morning that its forces targeted Houthi fighters in the strategic coastal city of Mocha. According to the official Yemeni news agency, the government operation killed Houthi gunmen and destroyed weapons and vehicles.
Did You Know? The conflict in Yemen began in 2014 when the Houthis seized large areas of the country including the capital Sanaa, prompting a Saudi-led coalition intervention in 2015.
Saudi Energy Infrastructure and Cross-Border Drone Attacks
The Saudi Ministry of Energy announced on Friday an “exploratory” suspension of the East-West oil pipeline after it sustained multiple drone strikes on Thursday, September 10, 2026, in the Riyadh and Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah regions, causing injuries. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the drones originated from Iraq. Riyadh stated it chose to withhold a military response for now to support the Iraqi government’s efforts to halt attacks originating from its territory. Iraq’s Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi subsequently ordered the dismissal of the Maysan operations commander and launched an investigation after determining the drones were launched from Maysan province in southern Iraq.
Expert Insight: Analysts note that Saudi Arabia faces mounting strategic pressures as critical energy export routes are disrupted, leaving policymakers with difficult choices regarding regional defense and military engagement.
Iraqi Factions Deny Involvement
On Saturday, Iraqi armed factions known as the Islamic Resistance in Iraq denied responsibility for the attacks on Saudi infrastructure. In an official statement, the groups labeled the accusations an “honor we do not claim” and criticized the Iraqi government for moving too quickly without conclusive evidence. While Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi condemned the attacks and ordered an immediate investigation, the Iraqi factions expressed support for the Houthi movement and claimed the allegations serve to distract from military developments inside Yemen.
Humanitarian Impact and Security Concerns
The International Organization for Migration reported Friday that at least 46,000 people have been displaced since fighting renewed in the region. Research fellow Fares al-Muslimi of Chatham House observed that Saudi Arabia exhausted all diplomatic options before hostilities escalated. Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council held a meeting on Thursday featuring UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg, who urged member states to engage actively to prevent the crisis from deteriorating into a wider conflict.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did President Donald Trump say about the Houthis?
According to President Trump, the Houthis contacted the United States to state that they do not want to fight U.S. forces or be attacked.
Why was the Saudi East-West oil pipeline shut down?
The Saudi Ministry of Energy announced a precautionary shutdown following drone strikes on September 10, 2026, which originated from Iraq and caused injuries.
How many people have been displaced by the recent fighting?
The International Organization for Migration reported that at least 46,000 individuals have been displaced since the recent battles renewed.
How will regional maritime trade adapt to the Houthi control of the Bab el-Mandeb strait?
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