Saudi Arabia urges U.S. action as Houthis advance in Yemen

Saudi Arabia is pushing Washington to respond as Iranbacked Houthi forces expand their control along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, according to the report. The group recently took positions near the Bab alMandab Strait, a vital shipping route linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The report says Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged President Donald Trump to consider military action, while the U.S. has so far signaled that it prefers to support regional partners with intelligence and targeting assistance rather than launch direct strikes. U.S. Central Command commander Adm. Brad Cooper also traveled to Saudi Arabia for coordination talks. The fighting has raised concerns about pressure on two major maritime chokepoints, the Bab alMandab and the Strait of Hormuz, both important for global trade and oil shipments. Analysts quoted in the story said the Houthis have used the wider conflict with Iran to rebuild their capabilities and increase leverage over Saudi Arabia and shipping lanes in the region.