Trump Says U.S. Will End Bombings of Houthi Militants in Yemen
In a surprising turn of events, President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the United States will be ending its support for the Saudi-led coalition’s bombing campaign against Houthi militants in Yemen. The decision marks a significant shift in U.S. policy towards the conflict in Yemen, which has been described by the United Nations as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
The announcement came during a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House, where Trump stated that the U.S. would no longer provide logistical and intelligence support for the coalition’s airstrikes against the Houthi rebels. The president cited concerns over civilian casualties and the humanitarian toll of the conflict as reasons for the decision.
The Saudi-led coalition has been conducting a bombing campaign against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen since 2015, in an effort to restore the internationally recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. The conflict has resulted in thousands of civilian deaths and widespread destruction, leading to a dire humanitarian situation in the country.
The U.S. has been providing logistical support, intelligence sharing, and arms sales to the Saudi-led coalition throughout the conflict, despite growing concerns over the civilian toll of the airstrikes. The decision to end support for the bombing campaign represents a significant departure from previous U.S. policy towards Yemen, and has been welcomed by human rights organizations and lawmakers who have been calling for an end to U.S. involvement in the conflict.
However, some critics have raised concerns over the implications of the decision, arguing that it could embolden the Houthi rebels and further destabilize the region. The conflict in Yemen is seen as a proxy war between regional powers, with Iran supporting the Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia leading the coalition backing the Yemeni government.
It remains to be seen how the U.S. decision to end support for the bombing campaign will impact the conflict in Yemen and the broader regional dynamics. President Trump has expressed hope that the move will help bring an end to the suffering of the Yemeni people and create space for a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
The announcement comes as the Biden administration has been conducting a review of U.S. policy towards Yemen, with a focus on ending the conflict and addressing the humanitarian crisis in the country. The decision to end support for the bombing campaign could signal a shift towards a more diplomatic approach to resolving the conflict, and a renewed focus on addressing the humanitarian needs of the Yemeni people.
Overall, President Trump’s announcement to end U.S. support for the bombing campaign against Houthi militants in Yemen represents a significant shift in U.S. policy towards the conflict, and could have far-reaching implications for the region. Only time will tell how the decision will impact the ongoing conflict and the humanitarian situation in Yemen.