Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has met US Central Command (CENTCOM) commander Brad Cooper in Jeddah to discuss regional security developments and the threat posed by Houthi attacks.
The meeting came days after sources told Reuters that the Saudi crown prince had asked US President Donald Trump for military support to counter the Houthis.
According to the sources, Mohammed bin Salman spoke with Trump at least twice last week and requested US assistance.
Trump, however, did not agree to direct US strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen. Washington has instead said it would provide Saudi Arabia with intelligence and targeting support.
The Houthis have stepped up missile and drone attacks against Saudi Arabia in recent weeks, while also advancing along Yemen’s Red Sea coast towards the Bab al-Mandab strait.
Bab al-Mandab is a key international shipping route, and any disruption to its security could affect maritime trade and oil shipments in the region.
The meeting between the CENTCOM commander and the Saudi crown prince comes as Riyadh faces growing concerns over Houthi attacks, the security of energy infrastructure and the safety of shipping routes. The US has so far stopped short of direct military intervention against the Houthis, instead focusing on intelligence and other support for Saudi Arabia.
