US President Donald Trump said Sunday that Yemen’s Houthis have agreed not to attack the United States, even as the Iran-allied group has intensified its attacks against US ally Saudi Arabia.
Fox News quoted the president as saying that Washington was “in constant communication” with the Houthis and that they had agreed not to fight the United States. Trump has previously made similar claims that the Houthis were refraining from attacking US forces in the region.
“The Houthis called us and they don’t want to fight with us,” Trump said during a visit to Ireland on September 12. “They don’t want us to go after them.”
Trump’s latest comments came as Saudi Arabia faced growing pressure, including a missile attack targeting the capital Riyadh on Saturday. The Houthis have also launched a rapid offensive inside Yemen, seizing territory from the internationally recognized government, which is backed by Saudi Arabia.
Fox News reporter Trey Yingst, quoting the president said “big things will be happening in the not so distant future” and that “Iranians better behave,” as he considers whether to take further military action against Iran.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Kuwait issued a security alert on September 19, advising American citizens in the Middle East to exercise heightened vigilance amid continuing regional tensions and the potential for unforeseen escalation. The embassy said the security environment remained complex and warned Americans to be prepared for possible flight cancellations, airspace closures and other travel disruptions.
It advised Americans traveling to or from the region to monitor airport and airline operations and to check flight departure status directly with their airlines or through the Kuwait International Airport website. The embassy said Iranian-supported Houthi forces had engaged in hostilities against Saudi Arabia, including attacks involving civilian airports, and warned that the military conflict could escalate rapidly.
It also said US diplomatic facilities, including those outside the Middle East, had been targeted. According to the alert, Iran and groups supportive of Iran may target other US interests overseas or locations associated with the United States and Americans, including US businesses and other institutions.
The embassy advised US citizens in Kuwait to contact KuwaitACS@state.gov in case of an emergency. It also provided information on passport services, including appointments for passport applications and renewals and a drop-box renewal service for eligible US citizens.
The embassy urged Americans to enroll in the US Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security updates and make it easier for the embassy to contact them in an emergency. It further advised Americans to stay away from glass doors, windows and fallen debris if an aerial attack occurs, while monitoring their phones and news outlets for official guidance.
