American Official: Trump Delayed a Strike That Was Planned Against the Houthis

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An American official revealed on Monday that President Donald Trump considered launching a military strike against the Houthis in Yemen over the past weekend, before deciding to postpone it.

The official explained that the strike was scheduled for the past weekend, but Trump made the decision to delay it, without disclosing the reasons for the decision or a potential date for reconsideration of its implementation.

These developments come amid a rapidly escalating military situation in Yemen, following a resurgence of widespread clashes between the Houthis and the internationally recognized Yemeni government forces, and the end of a ceasefire that had eased the intensity of fighting since 2022, according to the Associated Press.

In recent weeks, the control map in Yemen has changed, with back-and-forth movements between government forces and the Houthi militia, after the Houthis advanced along the western coast and seized the coastal city of Mocha and other strategic locations, including the island of Meon located at the entrance to the Bab al-Mandab Strait.

However, the government forces have succeeded in delivering strong and impactful blows to the Houthis in recent days.

These areas gain special importance due to their location overlooking Bab al-Mandab, one of the most prominent maritime passages connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, which has raised concerns about the security of navigation and international trade.

Meanwhile, the Yemeni government forces announced the reorganization of their ranks, affirming their determination to return to the western coast and regain the areas they lost during recent confrontations. Areas in Taiz governorate also witnessed strikes targeting Houthi positions.

The internal escalation coincided with a return of tension in the Red Sea, amid attempts of Houthi attacks on areas in Saudi Arabia and threats related to navigation in the region. A Houthi official stated on Sunday that their group informed the Trump administration that they would not target American ships in the Red Sea.

On the ground, the renewed fighting has reflected on the humanitarian situation, as UN estimates reported the displacement of tens of thousands since the beginning of September, while more than two thousand Yemenis crossed into Djibouti, amid a fuel crisis hindering the departure of more civilians from the combat areas.