Red Sea Crisis · Multiple sources
Why doesn't the US intervene to defend Saudi Arabia against the Houthis?
The US cautioned against a rapidly escalating situation in Yemen after Houthi rebels carried out a missile attack on the Saudi capital. In recent weeks, the Iran backed militants have also seized large portions of Yemeni territory following clashes with Saudi-backed government forces. The US is a very close ally to Saudi Arabia. Yet, is visibly unwilling to intervene on its behalf – why? Details and analysis by H. A. Hellyer, senior fellow in geopolitics at the Royal United Institute in Cairo.
- Time span
- 20 Sept 2026, 02:34 CEST → 22 Sept 2026, 08:40 CEST
- Sources
- 5 sources
- Reports
- 5
- Trust
- strong · multi-source
Timeline
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis have claimed responsibility for missile and drone attacks targeting "sensitive" sites in Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh - hours after flames and smoke were seen near the city's main airport.
Saudi Arabia said Yemen's Houthi rebels tried to attack Riyadh with a ballistic missile, the first time its capital has been targeted since the escalation in fighting with the Iran-backed rebels.
The US cautioned against a rapidly escalating situation in Yemen after Houthi rebels carried out a missile attack on the Saudi capital. In recent weeks, the Iran backed militants have also seized large portions of Yemeni territory following clashes with Saudi-backed government forces. The US is a very close ally to Sau...
Ministers demand an end to maritime shipping attacks and urge Iran to stop arming the Yemeni group.
The Houthis staged an offensive in recent weeks to take over Yemen's entire Red Sea coast, threatening global trade and pushing up energy prices up.
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