Trump pulls back from strikes on Iran-backed Houthis after Saudi request – NYT

VIA IRAN INTERNATIONAL:

US President Donald Trump decided Sunday not to join Saudi Arabia in strikes against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis for now, after previously directing the Pentagon to prepare for airstrikes, the New York Times reported, citing administration officials.

The Times reported Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had urged Trump to intervene against the Houthis, prompting the president to reverse an earlier reluctance and order preparations for strikes. By midday Sunday, however, Trump had changed course again and held off on the operation, according to the report.

Commanders had approved target lists and troops were loading bombs onto US warplanes when the planned attack was halted, the Times reported, citing people briefed on the operation.

The report said much of Trump’s inner circle was skeptical or opposed to opening another front while the US military was already strained by the war with Iran.