Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Yemen Seeks US Military Support Against Expanding Houthi Threat
Yemen is fighting a group called the Houthis.
Yemen’s president asked US President Donald Trump for help.
The request was made during a phone call this week.
Yemen says it wants intelligence, security cooperation, and help strengthening its own forces.
It says American soldiers do not need to fight on the ground.
The Houthis have gained control along part of Yemen’s Red Sea coast.
This could threaten ships using an important waterway called the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The United States has so far provided intelligence and targeting information, and Trump said the Houthis do not want the US to become more involved.
Yemen’s President Rashad al-Alimi reportedly asked Donald Trump for US military support against the Houthis.
Yemeni official Abdullah Al-Alimi Bawazir said he was unaware that the request had been rejected.
Yemen is seeking intelligence, security coordination, aerial campaigns, and stronger support for its forces.
The Houthis have expanded along Yemen’s Red Sea coast and threaten the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
US support has so far been limited to intelligence and targeting data, while Trump said the Houthis do not want US involvement.
- Who
- Yemen’s President Rashad al-Alimi, US President Donald Trump, Yemeni official Abdullah Al-Alimi Bawazir, and the Houthi movement are central to the report.
- What
- Yemen requested US military support, including intelligence, security coordination, aerial assistance, and help strengthening Yemeni forces against the Houthis.
- When
- The request was conveyed in a call between al-Alimi and Trump during the week described in the report; Bawazir discussed it on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
- Where
- The conflict is in Yemen, particularly along its Red Sea coastline, near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
- Why
- Yemen says Houthi advances and threats to the Red Sea shipping route require stronger support for the Yemeni government and its forces.
Yemeni Government’s Position
US Position Described in the Report
Extent of American involvement
Yemeni Government’s Position
Yemen wants stronger US assistance, including intelligence, security coordination, aerial campaigns, and support for its own forces, but says it is not asking American soldiers to fight on its behalf.
US Position Described in the Report
US support has so far been limited to intelligence and targeting data, and Trump said the Houthis do not want the United States to pursue them or become more involved.
Status of the request
Yemeni Government’s Position
Bawazir said Yemen expects more support and was unaware that its request had been rejected.
US Position Described in the Report
Reports cited in the article said Trump made no direct pledge of military support.
How to end the threat
Yemeni Government’s Position
Yemen argues that air campaigns alone are insufficient and that strengthening government forces on the ground is necessary.
US Position Described in the Report
The report describes existing US assistance as focused on intelligence and targeting, without stating that Washington has agreed to deploy troops or expand military action.
- Requesting country
- Yemen
- Requested assistance
- Military support, intelligence and security coordination, aerial campaigns, and enhanced Yemeni military capacity
- Yemeni president
- Rashad al-Alimi
- US president
- Donald Trump
- Main armed group
- The Iranian-backed Houthis
- Strategic waterway
- The Bab el-Mandeb Strait
- Current reported US support
- Intelligence and targeting data