Trump says Houthis contacted US, do not want to fight

US President Donald Trump said the Houthis had contacted Washington and asked the United States not to intervene after the Yemeni movement took control of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, adding that the group does not want to fight the United States.

“The Houthis called us; they don't want to fight us. Most of the ships are passing through [Bab el-Mandeb]. They have a problem with one country, and we'll solve it," Trump told reporters during his visit to Dublin.

The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a strategically important shipping route linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and serving as the southern maritime gateway to the Suez Canal.

On September 11, forces of the Ansar Allah movement reportedly established full control over Yemen’s western coastline and landed on islands in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Opponents of the Houthis believe the group could seek to blockade the strategic waterway, potentially mirroring Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia has expressed concern over the prospect of another maritime blockade.

By Tamilla Hasanova