Yemen Crisis

Trump Disappoints Yemen's Saudi Ally

U.S. president spoke with Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen's Saudi-backed Presidential Leadership Council, but declined to commit American forces against Houthis despite direct request for military aid

Gila Isaacson

SEP 22, 2026 10:16

2 min read

President Donald Trump held a phone conversation in recent days with Rashad al-Alimi, chairman of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, which is backed by Saudi Arabia.

The unusual call came against the backdrop of escalating violence in Yemen and the Houthi takeover of the Bab al-Mandab region.

According to a Reuters report, al-Alimi requested American military assistance in the fight against the Houthis during the conversation. Despite the appeal, the American president refrained from committing to direct U.S. military intervention.

A source within the pro-Saudi forces, speaking with Kan News, described the call as one that yielded no practical results. "It was more emotional support, nothing more," the source said, adding that Trump avoided any promise that American forces would join the campaign in Yemen directly.

The American position is generating disappointment in Riyadh as well. Saudi media has criticized Washington, arguing that while the American administration is toughening its policy toward Iran, it is not applying similar pressure on the Houthis, whom Riyadh views as Tehran's proxy.

Meanwhile, the Houthi leader addressed Saudi Arabia's efforts to build a broader coalition against his organization, claiming that Riyadh has failed to recruit regional and international support for the campaign.

He also warnedcountries that might join the fight, particularly Pakistan and Turkey, threatening that their entry into the conflict would come at a heavy price.