**Washington Declines Saudi Request to Lead New Yemen Campaign, Israeli Media Report**
*June 30, 2024 – Aden, Yemen* – Israeli media outlets have reported that a request from Saudi Arabia for the United States to assume leadership of a new military operation against the Houthi movement in Yemen was turned down by Washington.
According to the reports, the discussion took place during a meeting in mid‑August between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and senior U.S. officials. Saudi officials are said to have sought U.S. involvement to spearhead a fresh campaign aimed at curbing the Houthis, who have been fighting the Saudi‑backed Yemeni government since 2015. The United States, however, is reported to have declined the request.
The Israeli reports did not disclose the identities of the U.S. officials present, nor did they provide details on the specific reasons for the rejection. No official statements from the U.S. Department of State or the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been released to confirm or elaborate on the alleged meeting or the decision.
The Houthis, an Iran‑aligned rebel group that controls large portions of northern Yemen, have continued to launch missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia and have been a focal point of regional security concerns. Saudi Arabia has previously led a coalition that has conducted airstrikes against Houthi positions, a campaign that has drawn international criticism over civilian casualties.
The reported refusal comes amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the Yemeni conflict, which has caused one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, with millions of people facing famine and disease. The United States has maintained a policy of limited involvement, primarily providing logistical and intelligence support to the Saudi‑led coalition while urging a political settlement.
Given the lack of official confirmation, the details of the alleged meeting and the U.S. decision remain unverified. The reports are based on Israeli media sources and have not been corroborated by independent outlets.
Article source: yemenonline.info | Image credit: Yemen Online
