Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Trump Reverses Planned US Strikes on Houthis After Saudi Appeal
The Houthis are a group fighting in Yemen.
Saudi Arabia asked the United States to help stop their advances.
US military leaders prepared targets, planes, and bombs for possible attacks.
President Donald Trump first approved the preparations.
He then changed his mind and canceled the attacks for now.
Trump says the Houthis promised not to attack the United States.
Some officials worry that fighting the Houthis would add pressure to the US military.
Saudi Arabia is still facing attacks and losing territory to the group in Yemen.
US commanders approved targets and prepared warplanes for strikes on Houthi positions in Yemen.
President Donald Trump reportedly ordered preparations after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman requested military help.
Trump reversed the decision by Sunday, canceling strikes for the time being.
Saudi Arabia faces Houthi pressure, including a missile attack targeting Riyadh and territorial advances in Yemen.
Trump says the Houthis agreed not to attack the United States, while officials remain divided over intervention.
- Who
- President Donald Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Houthis, and US and Saudi officials.
- What
- The United States prepared airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen but Trump later reversed the decision.
- When
- Preparations followed a Thursday call and were canceled by Sunday; the report does not provide exact dates.
- Where
- Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and the surrounding Red Sea region.
- Why
- Saudi Arabia requested help as the Houthis expanded their offensive and attacked targets including Riyadh; Trump and advisers also cited opposition to deeper US involvement.
Support US Intervention
Oppose US Intervention
Responding to Saudi Arabia
Support US Intervention
Supporters argue that the United States should help Saudi Arabia, a close ally, as Houthi forces advance and attack Saudi territory.
Oppose US Intervention
Opponents argue that the United States should avoid joining Saudi Arabia’s fight against the Houthis, especially while the US military faces strains related to the war with Iran.
Risk of Houthi attacks
Support US Intervention
Military action could be viewed as necessary to counter the Houthis’ expanding offensive and pressure on Saudi Arabia.
Oppose US Intervention
Trump says the Houthis do not want to fight the United States, reducing the stated need for immediate US strikes.
- Proposed action
- US airstrikes against Houthi hideouts and positions in Yemen.
- Military preparations
- Target lists were approved, and bombs were loaded onto selected US warplanes.
- Decision
- Trump reversed the planned strikes by Sunday, at least temporarily.
- Saudi request
- Mohammed bin Salman urged Trump to help Saudi Arabia resist the Houthis.
- Houthi advances
- The group seized swaths of territory from Yemen’s internationally recognised government.
- Attack on Riyadh
- A missile targeted the Saudi capital over the weekend.
- Trump’s claim
- Trump said the Houthis had agreed not to fight the United States.