Houthis Advance in Yemen Highlands as President Trump Calls Off US Airstrikes
Houthis seize key highlands in Yemen amid escalating conflict as President Trump cancels planned US airstrikes targeting the group.
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The Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen has intensified its offensive to capture strategic highlands that would cut off the Red Sea coast from Saudi-backed forces, following a last-minute cancellation of US airstrikes by President Donald Trump. The development marks a significant escalation in the ongoing Yemeni conflict, with potential regional and global implications.
Houthis Target Strategic Highlands to Control Red Sea Access
Houthi forces have launched a rapid advance into key elevated areas in Yemen, aiming to sever the coastal corridor along the Red Sea. This move threatens to isolate the remaining territories controlled by the Saudi-backed internationally recognized government led by Rashid al-Alimi. Capturing these highlands would provide the Houthis with tactical advantage, enabling control over vital maritime access routes and complicating Saudi Arabia’s military efforts in the conflict.
Recent reports indicate that the Houthis have also escalated missile attacks, including strikes targeting Riyadh, the Saudi capital, marking the first such attack since the current escalation began. Explosions and smoke were visible near Riyadh’s airport on Saturday, though Saudi authorities have yet to officially comment on the incident.
President Trump Calls Off Planned US Airstrikes at Last Minute
The Trump administration had been preparing to launch airstrikes against Houthi targets on Sunday in response to urgent appeals from Saudi Arabia’s crown prince. According to sources, American troops were actively loading munitions onto aircraft when President Trump reversed the decision, halting the operation just before execution.
Rashid al-Alimi, who leads Yemen’s Saudi-backed government in exile, reportedly contacted President Trump by phone seeking military assistance amid the Houthis’ aggressive push. The cancellation of strikes has sparked debate about the US’s strategic approach toward the conflict and its wider implications for regional stability.
International Reactions and Concerns Over Escalation
The conflict has drawn sharp condemnation from the G7 foreign ministers, who issued a joint statement urging Iran to cease arming the Houthis. They warned that continued Houthi military actions threaten global trade through the Red Sea and risk broader destabilization.
In addition to military developments, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian arrived in New York for the UN General Assembly amid heightened tensions. President Trump has issued stern warnings against Iran, threatening decisive action if provocations continue. Oil markets responded cautiously, with Brent crude prices rising above $100 a barrel as investors weighed the potential impact of US-Iran diplomatic talks scheduled for this week.
Human Toll and Impact on Yemeni Civilians
Saudi-led coalition airstrikes on the Red Sea port city of Mokha resulted in the deaths of at least six civilians, including two children and a woman, with several others wounded. The Houthi-aligned media reported the casualties, highlighting the severe humanitarian consequences of the conflict’s escalations.
The ongoing fighting continues to exacerbate Yemen’s humanitarian crisis, already one of the worst globally, with millions displaced and in urgent need of aid. The recent military moves risk further restricting access to aid routes, particularly along the vital Red Sea coast.
The situation in Yemen remains highly fluid as Houthis consolidate territorial gains and the international community grapples with how to respond to the evolving conflict dynamics. President Trump’s decision to call off airstrikes underscores the complexity of US involvement and the delicate balance of power in the region.
