Trump cancels US strikes on Houthis after Saudi plea

President Donald Trump abruptly canceled planned US strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, reversing an earlier decision despite preparations being nearly complete. The reversal came after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman pressed him for urgent military support. The Pentagon had reportedly approved target lists and was loading bombs onto US aircraft for the mission when Trump halted the operation by Sunday. Trump had initially changed course after a Thursday phone call with the Crown Prince, having previously expressed reluctance to intervene against the Iran-backed Houthis. Senior US officials cited strain on the military from the war with Iran, with most of Trump's inner circle opposed to joining Saudi Arabia's fight. Trump claimed the Houthis agreed not to target the US, despite their escalating missile attacks on Riyadh and territorial advances in Yemen.