President Donald Trump gave Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman a personal assurance of support before Saudi Arabia launched airstrikes on Houthi-controlled Sanaa International Airport, Axios reported, citing a single unnamed source. The report adds a new dimension to the US role in the Saudi offensive, coming after earlier Axios reporting that Trump agreed to support the strikes in a phone call Friday. The claim has not been independently confirmed.
A new Axios report adds a behind-the-scenes detail to the escalating Saudi campaign against Houthi forces in Yemen: President Donald Trump personally assured Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of US support before Riyadh launched airstrikes on Houthi-controlled Sanaa International Airport, according to a single unnamed source.
This follows an earlier Axios report, published at 01:37 Jerusalem time, which stated that Trump agreed to support the Saudi strikes during a phone call with bin Salman last Friday. The current report clarifies that the assurance was given prior to the initiation of the strikes themselves, which the Houthis have since claimed disabled runways at the airport.
The Saudi operation has triggered a renewed cycle of Houthi retaliation. Since the strikes, Houthi forces have warned of reprisals against Saudi airports, and a state of alert was declared at all Saudi airports. The Zioneer previously reported on the Houthi response, including threats against Abha International Airport and broader warnings of escalation.
The new claim remains sourced to a single Axios report and has not been independently verified. The US administration has not issued an official statement confirming or denying the account.
2 developments
- DevelopingTrump says Saudi airports used for US strikes on Iran; IRGC threatens Riyadh
- StrongSaudi report: bin Salman spoke with Trump on Iran negotiations
- StrongHouthi spokesman warns Saudi airports targeted if blockade continues
- ConfirmedSaudi Arabia enters renewed Houthi attack cycle after Sanaa airport strike claim
Source and signal
- Internal intake