The escalation follows a secret meeting of top national security aides at Camp David on Friday, chaired by Vice President JD Vance. Attendees, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, discussed next steps in the Iran war and whether the U.S. should join Saudi strikes in Yemen. Three U.S. officials told Axios that a similar unannounced gathering took place in June 2025 shortly before Israel's war with Iran. President Donald Trump is providing other forms of support to the Yemeni offensive but has thus far declined Saudi requests to authorize direct U.S. airstrikes.
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
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Yemen Government Launches Offensive to Seize All Territory from Houthis
War16 days ago
Foreign Minister Afrah Al-Zouba sought global assistance on Sunday to end a military coup by Iran-backed militants and restore state security. The Yemeni government has initiated a major campaign to regain sovereignty over all national territory, including the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait, according to Presidential Leadership Council chairman Rashad al-Alimi. The Coalition to Restore legitimacy in Yemen pledged full operational support to the army's offensive, citing recent Houthi attacks on the holy city of Mecca and critical energy infrastructure within Saudi Arabia.
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