Trump gave MBS support for Houthi strikes before Saudi-Yemen flare-up: Report

The four-year truce between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis is under fresh strain after Saudi airstrikes on Sanaa airport triggered retaliatory missile and drone attacks, raising concerns of a wider regional conflict.

According to a report by Axios, US President Donald Trump gave Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) his backing for military action against the Houthis before the strikes were carried out.

Two US officials told the publication that the Saudi leadership informed Washington in advance and sought political support, reflecting concerns that any escalation could require American military and diplomatic assistance.

The latest exchange marks the most serious cross-border escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis since an unofficial truce came into effect in March 2022.

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It also comes amid heightened tensions between the US and Iran, increasing fears that the conflict could expand beyond Yemen.

Trump reportedly approved Saudi action

According to Axios, Saudi Arabia informed US officials last week that it was concerned about recent developments involving the Houthis and sought support for possible military strikes.

The report said Saudi Ambassador to Washington met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, followed by a phone call between Rubio and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan a day later.

Shortly afterwards, Trump reportedly spoke with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who requested US backing for military action against the Houthis. The request was approved, according to a US official cited by Axios.

Airport strike sparks retaliation

The latest tensions began after an aircraft operated by Iran's Mahan Air landed in the Houthi-controlled Yemeni capital of Sanaa. The flight was to transport senior Houthi leaders to Iran to attend the funeral of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei before returning to Yemen.

Iran's Mahan Air has long been under US sanctions over alleged links to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

On Monday, Saudi forces struck Sanaa International Airport as the aircraft was returning from Iran, forcing it to divert and land in the Red Sea port city of Al Hudaydah instead.

The Houthis condemned the strike as a "blatant aggression", declared that the period of de-escalation had ended, and vowed retaliation.

Houthis launch missile and drone attacks

Hours after the airport strike, the Houthis fired missiles and drones at Saudi Arabia's Abha International Airport. The group also warned commercial airlines against operating in Saudi airspace until what it described as the "siege" on Sanaa airport is lifted.

The missile launches are the first claimed by the Houthis against Saudi Arabia since the informal truce began more than four years ago. During earlier phases of the Yemen conflict, the group had repeatedly targeted Saudi cities, airports and oil facilities.

The renewed fighting has raised concerns that Saudi Arabia could once again face sustained attacks along its southern border.

A broader conflict involving the Houthis could threaten shipping routes in the Red Sea and add to instability across West Asia at a time of heightened US-Iran tensions.