‘Bad idea’ or ‘betrayal’: Pentagon split pushed Trump to cancel Houthi strikes

President Trump canceled a planned U.S. military strike against Houthi rebels in Yemen on Sunday, following an internal division within the Pentagon. Senior military leaders were split on whether to intervene in the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, who have advanced rapidly and attacked Saudi targets, including downing an F-15 jet. Some officials argued that opening another front would be a “bad idea” due to concerns about depleting munitions and the Houthis not directly attacking U.S. ships. Others believed that failing to act would be a “betrayal” of a key regional ally. The decision to cancel or delay the strike was also influenced by concerns that it could complicate the ongoing campaign against Iran. Meanwhile, Britain agreed to provide aerial refueling services to Saudi Arabia for defensive purposes.