The Trump administration delivered an unusually blunt warning to Saudi Arabia on Friday, saying the U.S. might curtail its support for Riyadh’s military campaign in Yemen unless the kingdom takes immediate steps to allow more humanitarian aid into the besieged country.
In a series of public comments and private conversations in recent weeks, the Trump administration has urged the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen to lift a blockade on the country to allow food, water, fuel and medicines to reach those in need.
The White House stepped up that call on Friday, saying the U.S. is “gravely concerned by the recent escalation in violence and continued dire humanitarian conditions in Yemen.” A senior administration official warned that the situation “could constrain the U.S. if steps aren’t taken” to ease the conditions.
The warning came amid the first signs of friction between Riyadh and Mr. Trump. The kingdom publicly criticized the U.S. decision this past week to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and to move the U.S. Embassy there, calling it an “irresponsible and unwarranted step.” Saudi Arabia said the announcement represented a major setback to shared efforts to revive stalled peace negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. READ MORE
