Trump says Saudi Arabia should accept Israel's help against the Houthis

President Donald Trump has said Saudi Arabia should accept Israeli assistance in its conflict with Yemen's Houthi rebels. Asked by reporters outside the White House on Friday, he said he supported the idea and believed Riyadh would do so, adding that Israel had been "very helpful" to Saudi Arabia. It was unclear whether he was referring specifically to help against the Houthis. Asked about Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords, Trump said: "Maybe more than ever."

Saudi Arabia has not publicly commented on any Israeli offer of help. The kingdom has said it will normalize ties with Israel only if a clear path to Palestinian statehood is established. Middle East Eye reported that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman opposes Israeli assistance over concerns about a public backlash. Riyadh accuses Tehran of arming the Houthis; Iran denies any role and has offered to mediate.

The attacks continue: the Saudi-led coalition said it intercepted missiles and drones over Yanbu, the Red Sea and the Riyadh region. Yemen's internationally recognized government accused the Houthis of firing two missiles that landed near a passenger plane at Aden airport. The Houthis said Saudi forces carried out 101 air and missile strikes in 24 hours. The claims could not be independently verified.