New York Times: Trump Backed Down from Launching Strikes on the Houthis
The American newspaper The New York Times reported that President Donald Trump backed down at the last minute on Sunday from ordering strikes against the Houthis. This decision came after military leaders had approved target lists and forces had loaded bombs onto the warplanes selected for the missions, just as a wave of attacks was about to begin, according to two sources familiar with the operation.
The newspaper added that Trump ultimately found himself in a predicament after Saudi Arabia asked Washington to intervene militarily as Houthi attacks on the kingdom escalated. The newspaper reported on Trump's hesitation on the matter, but he decided not to join in joint strikes against the Houthis in Yemen for the time being, as he needs Saudi Arabia's cooperation in his fight against Iran.
It noted that for two weeks, Trump had been seriously considering whether to respond to Saudi Arabia's calls and order his military to strike Houthi targets in Yemen, as a decision to proceed with such an operation could open a new front in the war against Iran.
The newspaper, citing US administration officials, indicated that Trump received a new call from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman last Thursday, in which he urged him to intervene to curb the group. This came a day after a meeting where Trump told his advisers he did not support launching airstrikes. However, after speaking with the Saudi Crown Prince, Trump reversed his position and ordered the Pentagon to prepare for airstrikes against the Houthis, before backing down again by noon on Sunday, according to the newspaper. Administration officials confirmed to The New York Times that the United States will not launch airstrikes on the Houthis, at least for the time being.
المصدر: New York Times
