Middle East conflict: US declines Saudi request for American strikes on Houthis

US President Donald Trump says the Yemen-based Houthis have asked Washington not to intervene, as pressure builds along the vital Bab El-Mandeb route. That is where the Iran-backed group seized control of Yemen's Red Sea coast and captured three strategic islands. US outlet Axios earlier reported that the American leader declined Riyadh's request for US strikes on the Houthis.