Trump Advises Saudi Arabia to Accept Israeli Help Against Houthis

*‘Israel has been very helpful to Saudi Arabia,’ says US President*

*WASHINGTON:* US President Donald Trump has backed the idea of Saudi Arabia accepting Israeli assistance against Yemen’s Houthi rebels, saying that Israel has been very helpful to the kingdom. However, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had reportedly rejected a proposal for direct Israeli military involvement in operations against the Houthis.

Speaking to reporters outside the White House on October 16, Trump was asked whether Saudi Arabia should accept Israel’s offer of assistance against the Houthi rebels. “Yeah, I do, sure,” the US president replied, adding that Israel had been very helpful to Saudi Arabia.

Trump’s remarks come amid continuing concerns over regional security and potential cooperation against the Houthi rebels in Yemen. However, he did not specify the nature of the assistance Israel could provide to Saudi Arabia. His statement does not confirm that Riyadh has accepted any Israeli offer or that a new military agreement has been reached between the two countries.

Meanwhile, according to a report published earlier by Israeli newspaper Haaretz, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had rejected a proposal for direct Israeli military involvement in operations against the Houthis. Citing an unnamed diplomatic source, the report said the Saudi leadership was reluctant to accept Israeli military assistance because of concerns that such cooperation could provoke a negative public reaction in Saudi Arabia.

According to the report, Israel viewed military cooperation with Saudi Arabia as a possible avenue for improving bilateral relations and eventually normalising diplomatic ties between the two countries. However, the Saudi government has not issued a confirmed official response to Trump’s latest remarks, nor has it publicly confirmed accepting Israeli assistance.

Saudi Arabia and Israel do not have formal diplomatic relations. Trump also referred to the possibility of normalising relations between the two countries. Nevertheless, it remains unclear whether Riyadh is willing to accept Israeli assistance against the Houthis or enter into any new military arrangement with Israel.