MEE: Saudi Pressure leads Trump to halt US bombing campaign in Yemen before visit

Ahead of President Donald Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom has exerted significant pressure on the US to halt all attacks on Yemen, warning that continued strikes could lead to an "embarrassing situation" for both Riyadh and Washington.

Saudi Arabia has long opposed the US bombing campaign in Yemen, which was resumed under the Biden administration in 2024. However, their demands for an end to the strikes escalated in recent days, as concerns grew over the intensity and scope of the operations, according to two US officials who spoke to Middle East Eye (MEE) on the condition of anonymity.

“Trump appears to be meeting a Saudi request to halt the attacks ahead of his visit,” one official said. “The pressure from Saudi Arabia to stop the strikes has intensified significantly since last week. They warned us that continuing attacks while the President is there would be like playing with fire.”

In response to these pressures, Trump announced on May 6 that the US would “immediately” cease bombing Yemen. However, the officials could not confirm if the decision was solely the result of Saudi lobbying or if it was influenced by Trump's own considerations.

The US strikes had also faced sharp criticism from some of Trump’s allies, including prominent media figure Tucker Carlson and Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. Shortly before the announcement, Greene ridiculed the campaign, tweeting, “I’ve never seen a Houthi. Nor has anyone else I know.”

In explaining his decision to halt the strikes, Trump said that the Houthis informed the US on Monday night that they “don’t want to fight anymore, they just don’t want to fight.”

“We will honour that. We will stop the bombings,” Trump declared, adding that the Houthis had also pledged not to attack ships.

Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi confirmed Trump’s statement, noting on X (formerly Twitter) that Oman had mediated a ceasefire between the US and the Houthis. He wrote, “In the future, neither side will target the other, including American vessels, in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, ensuring freedom of navigation and the smooth flow of international commercial shipping.”

Multiple Arab and US officials have revealed to MEE that Saudi Arabia has been heavily involved in pre-negotiating Trump’s upcoming visit. Riyadh is keen to focus on securing economic deals and military sales during the trip.

Additionally, MEE reported last week that Saudi Arabia has sought assurances from the US that discussions about normalising relations with Israel would not feature prominently during the visit. The Kingdom insists that progress toward the creation of a Palestinian state and a ceasefire in Gaza must occur before it will consider recognising Israel.

By Tamilla Hasanova