Donald Trump is considering asking Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to intervene in the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi rebels, as the militants’ ongoing attacks have sparked a new escalation in the region. Speaking to reporters, the U.S. president described the Houthis’ behavior as “very bad” and implied that Turkey could play a role in addressing the crisis. He also revealed that he had spoken by phone earlier that day with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, without providing further details about the content of their conversation.
Trump: What he said about Erdogan and the conflict with the Houthis
When asked about the possibility of seeking Ankara’s intervention, the U.S. president appeared confident that Recep Tayyip Erdogan would respond positively to such a request. “I believe President Erdogan would respond to any request I make,” he stated, leaving open the possibility of reaching out to his Turkish counterpart. He did not, however, clarify what form such an intervention might take, nor whether any specific initiative was being planned. His remarks came at a time when relations between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis have entered a new phase of heightened tension, following a series of attacks carried out against the kingdom.
Strikes on Riyadh and Saudi Arabia’s response
The situation has deteriorated following strikes attributed to the Houthis against King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, which reportedly killed 14 people and wounded more than 300. The attacks have intensified the standoff, with Saudi leadership warning that the rebels’ actions will not go unanswered. Following a cabinet meeting in Riyadh chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi government declared that the Houthis would be held accountable for their repeated strikes, emphasizing that no threat to the kingdom’s national security would be tolerated.
Red Sea attacks and the Yemen front
The tensions extend beyond Saudi territory, as the Houthis have recently stepped up their attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb strait. This critical maritime corridor is a vital artery for international trade, and the continued attacks have raised serious concerns about freedom of navigation. Saudi Arabia has made clear that it will not tolerate any actions that threaten unimpeded passage through these waters, directly linking the protection of maritime shipping to the kingdom’s broader national security.
The Houthis, who are backed by Iran, have been engaged in a civil war against Yemen’s internationally recognized government forces — themselves supported by Saudi Arabia — since 2014. The recent wave of attacks has further strained the situation, with the Saudi side maintaining a firm stance and the U.S. president leaving the door open to a new diplomatic move through Turkey. So far, however, no formal request has been made to Erdogan, with his potential intervention remaining at the level of Donald Trump’s public statements.
