Trump backed Saudi strikes on Yemen’s Houthis, US officials told Axios

• Trump backs Saudi action: US officials say President Trump supported Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s decision to strike Yemen’s Houthis, amid fears of a wider regional escalation.
• Saudi-Houthi tensions rise: Saudi strikes on Sanaa airport and subsequent Houthi missile and drone attacks marked the most serious cross-border escalation between the sides since 2022.

President Donald Trump gave Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) his backing for military action against Yemen’s Houthi rebels, according to US officials cited by Axios, in a move that has raised concerns over a renewed regional conflict.

The Saudi strikes on Sanaa airport on Monday, followed by Houthi missile and drone attacks on Saudi targets, marked the most serious cross-border escalation between the two sides since 2022, the report said. The developments could threaten a fragile, unofficial truce that had largely held for four years.

According to US officials, MBS informed Trump in advance and sought Washington’s support before ordering the strikes, reflecting Saudi concerns that the confrontation with the Houthis could expand and require US diplomatic and military backing.

Axios reported that Saudi Arabia had raised concerns with Washington last week and discussed possible strikes against the Houthis. Saudi Ambassador to Washington Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday, followed by a conversation between Rubio and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan.

A US official said Trump later spoke by phone with MBS on Friday, during which the Saudi crown prince requested support for military action and received it.

The White House, when asked for comment, referred Axios to Trump’s remarks in a Fox News interview on Monday, in which he sharply criticized Iran.

The latest escalation was triggered after an aircraft operated by Iran’s Mahan Air landed in Houthi-controlled Sanaa, according to Axios. The flight, described as a rare occurrence after more than a decade without regular Iranian flights to the Yemeni capital, carried a Houthi delegation traveling to the funeral of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the report said.

Saudi Arabia had opposed the flight, fearing it could be used to transport weapons or Iranian military personnel to the Houthis. A US official told Axios that Mahan Air is linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and that the aircraft was allegedly carrying weapons, missile components, and military experts.

After the plane’s return journey began, Saudi forces struck Sanaa airport, forcing the aircraft to divert and land in Al Hudaydah on Yemen’s Red Sea coast, according to the report.

The Houthis responded by launching ballistic missiles and drones toward Abha airport in southwestern Saudi Arabia and warned airlines against using Saudi airspace until restrictions on Sanaa airport are lifted.

The escalation comes amid broader tensions between the United States and Iran, raising fears that renewed Saudi-Houthi fighting could further widen the regional conflict.