Houthis expand grip near Bab el

RIYADH/DUBAI: Fighting in Yemen has intensified as Houthi forces move to capture strategic mountain positions that could help them cut off the Red Sea coast from territory still controlled by Saudi-backed government forces. The Iran-aligned Houthis have made a rapid advance across parts of Yemen this month, opening a new front in the wider Middle East conflict and raising further concerns about threats to global energy and shipping routes. The developments came after a report that U. S. President Donald Trump canceled planned airstrikes against the Houthis at the last minute on September 20, despite a request for military support from Saudi Arabia. The New York Times reported that the Trump administration had prepared to carry out airstrikes against Houthi targets following fresh appeals from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The newspaper said Trump later ordered the strikes to be called off while U. S.