Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke with US President Donald Trump multiple times in recent days as Riyadh and Washington coordinate over the escalating situation in Yemen, according to sources familiar with the matter.
Trump told MBS that the US would provide intelligence and targeting assistance, one source told Al Arabiya English, as the Iran-backed Houthis make significant gains along Yemen’s Red Sea coastline.
The discussions come as the US steps up its military engagement with Saudi Arabia.
US Central Command (CENTCOM) chief Adm. Brad Cooper traveled to the Kingdom in recent hours and is expected to meet with senior Saudi military and government officials to discuss coordination, the source said. CENTCOM has previously described freedom of navigation and regional security as key priorities.
A senior Trump administration official said the US was focused on protecting its core national security interests, including ensuring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, “while empowering our regional partners to take the lead in managing and resolving regional security challenges.”
The official added: “We are in continuous dialogue with Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Yemen Government regarding regional stability.”
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