By Timour Azhari
On September 21, Reuters reported that US President Donald Trump spoke by telephone with Yemeni President Rashad al‑Alimi, according to four sources familiar with the discussion. They talked about the Houthi movement’s advances along a key global waterway.
Al‑Alimi asked the United States to back his Saudi‑aligned administration in its campaign against the Houthis, who earlier this month seized several strategic locations along the Bab al‑Mandeb strait in a rapid offensive.
Two sources, one Yemeni and one Western, said Trump did not give a direct military commitment during the conversation.
The White House and Yemen’s information minister did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Trump publicly noted that the United States is communicating with the Houthis and that the group has pledged not to attack American shipping. The United States has listed the Houthis as a terrorist organization.
Trump has also turned down Saudi requests for military assistance against the Houthis, according to earlier Reuters reports.
Reporting by Timour Azhari in Riyadh; Editing by Toby Chopra
