Trump says Houthis trying to drive up oil prices ahead of US midterm elections
USO•Donald Trump accused Yemen’s Houthis of trying to drive up oil prices before the US midterm elections and warned he would not forget their attacks on Saudi Arabia. Renewed attacks have raised concerns about disruptions to global oil supplies and shipping routes.
1. Trump warns Houthis
Trump accused the Houthis of behaving badly and resuming attacks at Iran’s behest after a period of relative quiet following US strikes in Yemen last year. He said his warning would extend beyond the November 3 midterm elections, writing, “I’ll be there after the elections, and I will never forget!”
2. Attacks raise concerns
The warning followed Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including strikes on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport that have killed at least 13 people, wounded more than 300 and forced the airport to close. Trump said he might ask Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to intervene in support of Saudi interests. The Houthis control large parts of Yemen and have escalated attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait as the eight-month US-Iran war has intensified.
