Jakarta, ThedailyID — The United States has reportedly rejected repeated requests from Saudi Arabia for military support against Yemen’s Houthi movement, even as attacks target Saudi infrastructure. Meanwhile, reports have emerged of direct talks between Washington and the Iran-backed group.
The attacks have also affected Indonesian citizens. On Sunday, October 11, two Indonesian nationals sustained minor injuries during a Houthi attack at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, according to Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday, October 13.
The group also targeted Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil company. An attack on an Aramco administrative building on October 13 sparked a small fire, according to the report.
Amid the escalating attacks, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman reportedly spoke directly with US President Donald Trump at least twice to request military assistance. Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman also reportedly urged US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to launch military operations to defend the kingdom.
However, Washington declined the requests, according to Al Jazeera. Sources cited by the outlet said the Trump administration remains focused on its own war with Iran, which began in February, rather than expanding its military involvement against the Houthis.
At the same time, reports suggest Washington may have reached an informal understanding with the Houthis. Nabeel Khoury, a former US deputy ambassador to Yemen, told The Guardian that an arrangement may exist between the Trump administration and the group.
According to Khoury, the Houthis had promised not to disrupt American or international shipping in the Red Sea. However, he said the main risk remained for Saudi vessels and ships carrying Saudi oil.
A separate Reuters report revealed that US officials met Houthi representatives in Oman in mid-September. The previously undisclosed meeting reportedly took place at the US Embassy in Muscat, with Oman helping arrange the discussions.
The meeting came days after the Houthis, who receive support from Iran, captured a strategic area along the Red Sea coast in an offensive against Saudi-backed forces, according to sources cited by Reuters.
Despite designating the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization in March 2025, the Trump administration has continued engaging with the group. Washington previously negotiated a ceasefire in May 2025 after two months of US airstrikes aimed at stopping attacks on Red Sea shipping.
Reuters also reported that Trump said the Houthis had contacted his administration and asked the United States not to intervene in Yemen’s war. US Vice President JD Vance separately confirmed that Washington maintained direct contact with the group.
During the reported meeting in Oman, the Houthis told US officials they did not intend to attack American vessels and remained committed to the 2025 ceasefire, one source told Reuters.
The reported contacts highlight a complicated regional situation. While Saudi Arabia seeks stronger US backing against Houthi attacks, Washington appears to be maintaining communication with the group as it weighs its broader military priorities.
