Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Saudi Arabia Urges Trump Strikes After Houthi Island Capture
The Houthis are reported to have taken control of an island near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
This waterway is important enough that Saudi Arabia is worried about the development.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called President Donald Trump twice on Thursday.
He asked Trump to order attacks on the Houthis.
Trump did not agree to the request.
U.S. officials said the United States does not currently plan to attack the Houthis directly.
The report describes this as a possible new part of the conflict involving Iran.
The article does not provide further details about the island or explain the specific reason for Saudi Arabia’s concern.
The Houthis reportedly captured an island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called U.S. President Donald Trump twice on Thursday.
Mohammed bin Salman urged Trump to launch strikes against the Houthis, according to Axios.
Trump rejected the request, the report said.
U.S. officials said the administration does not currently plan direct military action against the Houthis.
- Who
- The Houthis, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, U.S. President Donald Trump, and U.S. officials.
- What
- The Houthis reportedly captured an island, while Saudi Arabia urged the United States to strike them.
- When
- The calls took place on Thursday; no date was provided.
- Where
- The reported island is in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
- Why
- Saudi Arabia sought U.S. strikes against the Houthis, but the article does not give a detailed explanation for the request.
Saudi Arabia’s Position
U.S. Administration’s Position
Whether to strike the Houthis
Saudi Arabia’s Position
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged President Trump to launch strikes against the Houthis.
U.S. Administration’s Position
Trump rejected the request, and U.S. officials said the administration does not currently plan direct military action against the Houthis.
- Reported development
- The Houthis reportedly captured an island in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
- Saudi official
- Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
- U.S. president
- Donald Trump
- Number of calls
- Two calls were reportedly made on Thursday.
- Saudi request
- Saudi Arabia urged the United States to launch strikes against the Houthis.
- U.S. response
- Trump rejected the request, according to the report.
- Current U.S. policy
- U.S. officials said the administration does not currently intend to take direct military action against the Houthis.
- Reported source
- Axios