Trump Twice Rejects MBS's Appeals for US Strikes on Houthis, Offers Intelligence Instead

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman telephones President Trump twice on Sep 10 urging direct US strikes on the Houthis as they close in on the Bab al-Mandeb strait; Trump declines both times, with US officials saying Washington has no plans for direct military action against the group. The US instead offers intelligence assessments and targeting data on Houthi positions, and roughly 200 US personnel already in Saudi Arabia continue non-kinetic support, with US Central Command's commander traveling to Riyadh for coordination talks. Analysts note the rebuff underscores Saudi Arabia's continued dependence on Washington even as Riyadh, Islamabad and Ankara stand up their own coordination machinery under the Mecca pact.