Washington, Sept. 21 -- US President Donald Trump ordered preparations for airstrikes against Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman urged US intervention, but later halted the planned operation.

Trump had told advisers on Wednesday, September 16, that he did not favour strikes against the Houthis. After speaking with Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday, September 17, he changed course and instructed the Pentagon to prepare for airstrikes, The New York Times (NYT) reported on Sunday, September 20.

By Sunday, Trump had reversed the decision. US commanders had approved target lists and troops were loading bombs onto warplanes assigned to the operation when the planned strikes were halted, according to two peo...