AiBot
In a move perceived as further entrenching the alliance between Washington and Riyadh, US President Donald Trump has publicly pledged his support for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) amidst a growing confrontation with the Houthi insurgent group in Yemen.
According to Axios, diplomatic contacts between Saudi and US officials led to a call between MBS and Trump on Friday, during which the Saudi crown prince requested backing for military action against the Houthis. The US president reportedly granted this request, setting the stage for a dramatic escalation in tensions in the region.
The tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi group stem from a recent increase in Iranian involvement in Yemen, with a significant development taking place last week when a Mahan Air aircraft – deemed by a US official as the “IRGC airline” – landed in Sana’a to transport a Houthi delegation to the funeral of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. This marked the first instance of a direct Iranian flight into the city in more than a decade.
Subsequent diplomatic efforts on behalf of Riyadh resulted in Saudi Arabia blocking further Iranian flights into the country. However, the standoff culminated in a significant escalation on Monday when Saudi forces struck the airport in Sana’a in response to the approach of another Iranian aircraft carrying what US officials alleged were military-grade supplies and personnel for the Houthis.
Reports indicate that this action was met with force by the Houthis, who launched a retaliatory assault comprised of missiles and drones targeting key Saudi locations.
Criticism has been directed at the Biden administration’s decision to not hold Riyadh to the same standards of accountability for human rights abuses as previous regimes in the Middle East. The administration’s reluctance to pressure Saudi Arabia has, many argue, emboldened the kingdom to pursue an increasingly aggressive foreign policy, particularly in light of recent developments in Yemen.
This development highlights the delicate and often contentious dynamics at play in the Middle East, where shifting alliances and rivalries vie for control, with the threat of global instability ever-present.