US Warned Saudi Arabia of Growing Houthi Threat for Months, Report Says

The United States warned Saudi Arabia for several months about a growing threat posed by Yemen's Houthi movement, according to sources cited by The New York Times. The report said Washington made clear to Riyadh that it would not carry out airstrikes against Houthi positions.

The disclosure points to ongoing discussions between the two governments over how to address the Houthi threat, which has included attacks on shipping and regional targets in recent years. The sources indicated that the US position left Saudi Arabia to weigh its own response options without direct American military action against the group.

Neither the US State Department nor Saudi officials have issued detailed public comment confirming the specific timeline or content of the warnings described in the report. The Houthis, who control large parts of Yemen, have remained a persistent security concern for Gulf states and shipping routes in the Red Sea.

The report underscores the balancing act facing Washington as it manages its alliance with Riyadh alongside a broader reluctance to expand direct US military involvement in Yemen. Saudi Arabia has previously led a multinational coalition against the Houthis, though the scale of that campaign has shifted in recent years.

The matter remains part of a wider regional security picture that includes tensions in the Red Sea and ongoing diplomatic efforts involving Gulf and Western governments.