Why Trump isn’t going to war with the Houthis | BBC News

Saudi Arabia faces a new escalation in its long-running conflict with the Houthis in Yemen after missile strikes on Riyadh killed at least fourteen people and injured hundreds. The United States has so far shown little appetite for direct involvement, despite decades of financial, military and intelligence support to Riyadh. BBC correspondent Nawal Al-Maghafi, who recently reported from inside Yemen, joins The Global Story's Asma Khalid to discuss why Washington is holding back and what might come next.

• Houthi missile strikes on Riyadh and their casualties
• Why the United States has held back from direct fighting
• Background on the Houthis and the Saudi-Yemen war
• Fighting after the ceasefire and the situation in Taiz

Is Washington leaving Saudi Arabia to fend for itself? Last week, Houthi rebels launched a series of missile strikes on Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital. Surveillance footage showed a fireball erupting as airport passengers ran for cover. At least fourteen people have been killed and hundreds were injured. The attack is the latest escalation in a decade-long war between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis in neighbouring Yemen. The Saudis have long relied on financial, military and intelligence support from the United States, particularly in their fight against the Houthis. But Washington so far has shown little appetite for direct involvement in the fighting. So why is the United States holding back? And what does that mean for the people caught in the middle? The BBC’s chief international investigations correspondent, Nawal Al-Maghafi, recently reported from inside Yemen and joins The Global Story’s Asma Khalid to discuss why this conflict is escalating and what might happen next. Timecodes: 0:00 Are the US going to join the Saudi fight against the Houthis? 1:21 Introduction to Nawal Al-Maghafi who talks us through the situation 4:31 How have Saudi Arabia responded? 7:35 Who are the Houthis? 9:39 Why has the US historically backed Saudi Arabia? 13:15 The unpopularity of the Saudi/Yemen war 17:00 Why has fighting re-started since the ceasefire? 18:00 Nawal's visit to Taiz 21:58 Are the Houthi's feeling more emboldened to fight? Subscribe to our channel here: https://bbc.in/bbcnews For the latest news download the BBC News app or visit BBC.com/news #BBCNews