US President Donald Trump spoke on Sunday with Yemen’s President Rashad al-Alimi about the advance of the Iran-backed Houthis around the strategically important Bab al-Mandeb Strait. Four sources told Reuters.
Al-Alimi requested US support for the Saudi-backed government in its fight against the Houthis, who earlier in September took control of key areas along the strait. According to two of the sources, Trump made no direct pledge of military support.
Trump has previously said that the US is in contact with the Houthis and that the group has stated that US shipping will not be attacked, the news agency reports.
