Houthis asked US to stay out of Saudi fight – Trump (VIDEOS)

The US president says the Yemeni group does not want Washington involved, as Riyadh reportedly presses him to order strikes Yemen’s Houthis have asked the United States not to intervene in their escalating conflict with Saudi Arabia, President Donald Trump has said, as Washington seeks to avoid opening another front in the Middle East.

Houthi forces made major gains along Yemen’s Red Sea coast this week, pushing back Saudi-backed government troops and seizing the strategic ports of Mocha and Dhubab, as well as Perim (Mayun) Island at the entrance to the narrow Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

The advance has tightened the group’s grip on one of the world’s most important shipping chokepoints while threatening another crucial route for Saudi oil exports.

“The Houthis called us, and they don’t want to fight with us,” Trump told reporters on Saturday during a visit to Ireland.

“They don’t want us to go after them” and “would much prefer not having us involved,” he added.

Trump said the group was allowing most shipping to pass through the Red Sea, adding that “it’s just one country that they’re not too happy with, and we’ll get that straightened out.” Read more Houthis claim control of strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait (VIDEOS) Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly called Trump twice on Thursday and urged him to order US strikes against the Houthis to stop their advance.

Trump declined the request, according to Axios, which cited US officials as saying Washington has no plans for direct military intervention for now.

The US is nevertheless providing Saudi Arabia with intelligence and targeting data, and roughly 200 American military personnel are providing non-combat support.

CENTCOM chief Adm.

Brad Cooper also traveled to the kingdom for urgent consultations.

Trump confirmed speaking with the Saudi crown prince but did not disclose details of their conversation.

“He’s a good friend of mine,” Trump said.

“I can just say everything’s going to work out fine and dandy.” Read more Drone attacks shut down key Saudi oil pipeline (SATELLITE PHOTOS) The Houthis have framed their campaign as a fight to drive Saudi-backed government forces out of Yemen and restore the country’s sovereignty.

“We do not target any country except the Saudi enemy,” Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a spokesman for the group, told RT on Thursday.