Trump Cancels 5 p.m. Houthi Strikes as Pentagon Splits Over Yemen Front

3 articles · Updated · NBC News · Sep 21

Trump called off planned U.S. strikes on Yemen’s Houthis hours before a 5 p.m. Sunday launch, after the military was told shortly after 2 p.m. that the order had been canceled.
Two U.S. officials said Pentagon leaders were split: some warned a new front would drain scarce defensive and long-range weapons and endanger U.S. forces tied to the Iran war and Hormuz security mission.
Others pushed for action after Saudi appeals intensified, citing Houthi attacks in Saudi Arabia, a claimed shootdown of a Saudi F-15, and rebel advances toward Marib and the Bab el Mandeb chokepoint.
Trump has not ruled out future strikes, and officials said U.S. forces in the region still have options ready after emergency Pentagon meetings ordered following a call from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The episode highlights Trump’s bind between backing a key ally and avoiding deeper regional escalation, even as a prior U.S.-Houthi ceasefire had halted attacks on American ships.