Trump Declines Intervention as Houthis Seize Bab al-Mandeb

President Donald Trump declined to militarily intervene after Houthi forces seized the strategic port of Mocha, the town of Dhubab, and Perim Island. This takeover grants the Houthis control over the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a critical waterway for global oil flows. Speaking in Dublin on September 12, 2026, Trump stated that the Houthis had contacted the U.S. to avoid confrontation and were allowing most ships to pass.

This restrained approach stems from U.S. military exhaustion during the ongoing war with Iran and domestic political concerns regarding upcoming congressional elections. The administration has strategically prioritized the Strait of Hormuz over Bab al-Mandeb, concentrating forces at the former oil artery.

In response to the perceived erosion of the U.S. security umbrella, the Government of Saudi Arabia launched a 14-state Multinational Defensive Maritime Alliance to protect international shipping routes. Saudi officials argued that maritime security is a collective responsibility. Coordination talks between the Saudi Crown Prince and United States Central Command, led by Admiral Brad Cooper, took place in Riyadh to manage the regional security vacuum.