US President Donald Trump has suggested that Israel could provide valuable assistance to Saudi Arabia in its fight against Yemen’s Houthi movement, while fresh missile strikes near Aden airport have heightened concerns over the ongoing conflict in Yemen.
According to CNN, Trump made the remarks while speaking to reporters outside the White House on October 16. Asked whether Saudi Arabia should accept Israeli assistance against the Houthis, the US president responded affirmatively, saying Israel could be very helpful to the kingdom in this regard.
Trump also described his relationship with Saudi Arabia as positive and suggested that prospects for normalising relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel might be stronger than before. However, he did not announce any new agreement between the two countries or confirm that negotiations had resumed.
A report published by Israeli newspaper Haaretz on October 13 said Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had shown little interest in accepting an offer of Israeli military assistance against the Houthis. According to the report, the Saudi leadership was concerned that open military cooperation with Israel could provoke a negative reaction among the Saudi public.
Several Arab countries have established diplomatic relations with Israel under the US-backed Abraham Accords. Saudi Arabia, however, has so far remained reluctant to normalise relations despite assurances from Trump.
Meanwhile, two missiles reportedly landed near Aden International Airport in Yemen, with the Houthis claiming responsibility for the attack and saying their intended target was a Saudi military command centre located nearby.
According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), powerful explosions were heard near the airport on Friday, shaking the surrounding area. Journalists present at the scene reported the blasts, and the presence of two missiles was subsequently confirmed.
The Houthis said the missiles were intended to strike a Saudi command centre situated near the airport in territory controlled by Yemen’s Saudi-backed government.
Aden serves as the interim capital of Yemen’s internationally recognised government. The Houthis control large parts of northern Yemen and have been fighting the Yemeni government and Saudi-led forces.