Trump Claims Houthis Agree Not to Fight US

US President Donald Trump on Sunday claimed that Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi rebels have agreed not to attack American forces, even as the group intensifies its attacks against US ally Saudi Arabia.

Fox News reporter Trey Yingst, who frequently speaks with Trump, quoted the president as saying Washington remains in “constant communication” with the Houthis and that they had agreed not to fight the United States.

Trump made a similar claim during a visit to Ireland on September 12, saying the Houthis had contacted Washington and did not want the US to target them.

His latest remarks came amid heightened tensions between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia. The rebels claimed to have targeted “sensitive” sites in Riyadh with missiles and drones, while Saudi authorities confirmed that a ballistic missile had been launched toward the capital on Saturday. The attack marked the first reported targeting of Riyadh since fighting involving the Tehran-backed Houthis escalated in July.

Saudi authorities issued overnight air-raid alerts to residents in Riyadh, the first such warnings for the capital since the latest escalation. The Houthis have also made significant territorial gains inside Yemen, taking control of areas from the internationally recognised government forces backed by Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, Iran warned Sunday that any major new attack by the United States and its allies would trigger sustained retaliation against US bases and interests. Iran’s military central command also said Washington’s regional allies would be treated as parties to the conflict.

The warnings came as Trump reportedly remained in “deciding mode” over Iran. According to Yingst, Trump said “big things will be happening in the not so distant future” and warned that Iran must “behave” as he considers whether to launch further military action.

Separately, an explosion was reported Sunday near Erbil airport in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region, where US-led coalition troops are stationed. The cause of the blast was not immediately clear, while grey smoke was seen rising near the airport.

The United States has warned that the fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis could “escalate rapidly.” Trump also unexpectedly cut short his weekend at Camp David and returned to the White House on Saturday, although the White House did not provide a reason for his early return.