Hyderabad, Sept. 11 -- Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called US President Donald Trump twice on Thursday, September 10, and urged him to authorise strikes against Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis as the group advanced along the Red Sea coast, Axios reported, citing two US officials.

Trump declined the request. US officials said Washington does not currently plan to take direct military action against the Houthis, but will provide Saudi Arabia with intelligence and targeting support.

The calls came as Houthi forces seized the Red Sea city of Mocha, moving closer to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategic waterway connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden.

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