Trump is Considering Striking the Houthis.. Has Washington's Position Changed After the Escalation Against Saudi Arabia?

Washington - Afaq News - The United States is considering launching an attack on the Houthis in Yemen, following the sharp escalation of the group's attacks on Saudi Arabia.

According to CNN, the meeting held by President Donald Trump at Camp David aimed to discuss and study "options for launching an attack on Yemen."

Shortly thereafter, the White House adjusted the president's schedule, as Trump shortened his stay at the presidential residence and returned to Washington ahead of schedule. The White House did not provide any official explanation for this change.

This report comes after the Houthis attempted to attack Riyadh with a ballistic missile, claiming to target facilities belonging to Aramco. Saudi Arabia announced the interception of the missile aimed at the capital and thwarted any further attacks on targets within the kingdom.

At the same time, the United States warned its citizens of further deterioration in the security situation in the Middle East, amid the possibility of continued Houthi attacks and harm to American interests in the region.

The possibility of a U.S. strike indicates a potential shift in Trump's stance. Just a week ago, CNN reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke twice with the president and asked him to order the U.S. military to attack the Houthis. However, Trump rejected the request.

Kylie Atwood, CNN's national security correspondent, stated at the time that Washington "does not want to get dragged into further military strikes against the Houthis," even though the United States is already providing Saudi Arabia with intelligence and assistance in selecting targets.

Alex Plitsas, a security commentator for CNN, estimated days ago that the Houthis' blockade of the Bab al-Mandab Strait or launching an attack on international shipping could become a "starting point for a potential U.S. action."

Plitsas wrote last night that he was informed that the talks at Camp David were aimed at "discussing and studying options for launching an attack on Yemen," and he pointed to the security warnings issued in the region and Trump's early return to the White House.

In a related context, the Houthis have expanded their military activity in Yemen and the Red Sea in recent weeks, seizing strategic areas that enable them to increase the threat to the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a major trade route linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.

CNN reported that any attempt to close the strait or harm international navigation could change the calculations of the U.S. administration.