U.S. not to launch "offensive strikes" on Houthis amid Yemen tensions: CNN

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. military will not launch "offensive strikes" against Yemen's Houthi group, CNN reported on Sunday, citing a U.S. official.

U.S. military support has so far been limited to providing Saudi Arabia with intelligence and targeting data for its operations against the Houthis, according to the report.

Washington has recently increased the sharing of such information with Riyadh. The White House believes the United States is currently providing Saudi Arabia with all the support it needs to confront the Houthis, said the report.

"No offensive strikes," a U.S. official was quoted as saying.

Alex Plitsas, a former Pentagon official, said on CNN earlier that he had been told that U.S. President Donald Trump held a meeting at Camp David on Saturday to discuss and review options for strikes in Yemen. The White House and the Pentagon have not publicly confirmed the claim.

The Trump administration has so far shown little willingness to become directly involved in the conflict. Multiple U.S. media outlets reported earlier this month that Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud had urged Trump to order U.S. strikes against the Houthis, but Trump declined.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has reportedly sought air-defense assistance from France, Britain, Pakistan and Egypt as its supply of missile interceptors runs low and U.S. stocks of interceptors have been strained by the conflict with Iran.

The Houthis' recent advances and attacks have raised concerns that it could open another front in the broader U.S.-Iran conflict, further complicating an already volatile regional situation.