> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.theglobalvoice.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Trump Reportedly Halted US Strikes on Houthis at the Last Minute - URL: https://www.theglobalvoice.com/trump-reportedly-halted-us-strikes-on-houthis-at-the-last-minute/ - Published: 2026-09-22T05:53:57.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-22T05:53:57.000Z - Description: Donald Trump reportedly halted planned US strikes on Yemen’s Houthis shortly before launch, despite Saudi requests for military support. The decision avoided an immediate expansion of the conflict but left Riyadh confronting renewed Houthi attacks and advances without direct American intervention. - Author: TGV Desk - Tags: United States, Yemen, Houthis, middle-east, The Day So Far, Top Stories, has-audio US President Donald Trump reportedly cancelled a planned series of military strikes against [Yemen’s Houthi movement ](https://www.theglobalvoice.com/houthis-seize-mocha-and-advance-towards-strategic-bab-el-mandeb-strait/)shortly before the operation was due to begin, stepping back from an intervention that could have opened another front in the widening Middle East conflict. The proposed strikes followed requests for American military assistance from Saudi Arabia, [which has faced renewed missile and drone attacks from Houthi-controlled territory](https://www.theglobalvoice.com/mecca-put-on-alert-as-saudi-arabia-intercepts-houthi-drone/). US military planners had reportedly selected targets, moved aircraft into position and loaded weapons before Trump withdrew his approval. No formal explanation has been issued by the White House or the Pentagon. However, the decision appears to reflect concern that striking Yemen could pull the United States into another prolonged campaign while it is already managing a direct confrontation with Iran and attempting to contain instability across the region. > 🚨 BREAKING NEWS: 🇸🇦🇾🇪 > Trump Calls Off “PLANNED STRIKES” Against Houthis- They Are Pushing to Seize The Kahboub Mountains. ☠️⚔️ > > 🇺🇸 Trump: “The Houthis called us, and they don’t want to fight us. The U.S. had been in discussions with the Houthis.” > > 🇾🇪 Houthis: “Saudi Arabia is… [pic.twitter.com/3zNtNRcjl9](https://t.co/3zNtNRcjl9?ref=theglobalvoice.com) > > — Global Talks (@Gb\_\_Talks) [September 21, 2026](https://x.com/Gb%5F%5FTalks/status/2102064902424895886?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=theglobalvoice.com) Trump was also confronted with a difficult strategic choice. Saudi Arabia remains one of Washington’s closest partners in the Middle East, but launching attacks at Riyadh’s request would have risked returning the United States to the war in Yemen after years of efforts to reduce its involvement. The Houthis have responded by saying American vessels in the Red Sea will not be targeted, suggesting that indirect negotiations may have contributed to the decision. US officials have reportedly held discussions with Houthi representatives in Oman, which has frequently acted as an intermediary between Washington, the Yemeni movement and Iran. The cancellation came as Houthi forces sought to consolidate territorial gains in western Yemen. Fighting has centred on the Kahboub mountain range, which overlooks the [Bab al-Mandab Strait](https://www.theglobalvoice.com/houthis-seize-perim-island-inside-bab-el-mandeb-tightening-grip-on-global-shipping-route/), one of the world’s most important maritime routes. Control of the surrounding highlands could provide the group with a stronger position near the narrow passage connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. --- The development has raised concern in Saudi Arabia and among Yemen’s internationally recognised authorities, which fear that the Houthis could use the broader regional war to expand their territory and strengthen their influence over shipping routes. The United States has repeatedly struck Houthi missile sites, radar installations and weapons facilities since the group began attacking commercial and military vessels in the Red Sea. The Houthis said those operations were intended to pressure Israel over the war in Gaza, although ships with no clear connection to Israel were also targeted. Trump expanded the American air campaign after returning to office, but halted it in 2025 following an agreement mediated by Oman. Under that arrangement, the Houthis agreed to stop attacking US vessels while Washington ended its strikes. The agreement did not prevent the group from continuing operations against Israel or becoming involved in later regional fighting. The latest decision does not rule out future US military action. Washington retains substantial forces in the region and could reconsider strikes if American personnel or vessels are attacked. For now, however, Trump appears to have chosen negotiations and containment over another bombing campaign. The decision reduces the immediate risk of direct US-Houthi hostilities, but leaves unresolved the larger question of how Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s government will respond if the Houthis continue their military advance.