Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has met the head of U.S. Central Command after asking Washington for military assistance against Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis.
Admiral Brad Cooper met the crown prince in Jeddah as Houthi attacks on Saudi territory and energy infrastructure intensify.
Donald Trump declined to authorise direct American strikes against the group.
Washington has instead agreed to provide Saudi Arabia with intelligence-sharing and targeting assistance.
The meeting comes as the Houthis expand their capabilities beyond missile and drone attacks.
The movement has also captured territory around the Bab el-Mandeb shipping route, including Greater and Lesser Hanish islands.
INTELLIGENCE, NOT BOMBS
Saudi Arabia now faces an Iran-backed armed movement capable of attacking cities, threatening energy infrastructure and controlling strategically important territory around the Red Sea.
For now, Washington’s position leaves Saudi Arabia responsible for the military response while the United States provides intelligence and targeting support.
The question is how long that division survives if Houthi capabilities continue to expand.
Sources
Reuters: Saudi crown prince meets CENTCOM chief after Houthi escalation
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