US Refuses Saudi Request for Military Help Against Houthis
πΈπ¦ RIYADH β MBS asked Washington for Houthi backup; Washington said no. π LOOK CLOSER: A direct refusal to Riyadh strips the Saudi offensive of its essential air and intelligence layer β the same gap that made previous proxy campaigns fail. Without US support, a Saudi direct offensive risks Houthi retaliation on cities with no American shield. Washington may be preserving strikes for Iran itself post-November 3, unwilling to dilute firepower on proxies. Riyadh now must choose: stand down, or go it alone against an entrenched Bab al-Mandeb position.