Mediators announced a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Yemen’s Houthi rebels, aiming to restore “freedom of navigation” in the Red Sea, a region that has seen increased shipping attacks by the Iran-backed group over recent months. The announcement follows a confirmation from President Donald Trump that the U.S. would cease its military operations against the Houthis, contingent upon the rebels halting their harassment of maritime vessels. While Trump did not directly address recent assaults on Israel, his administration framed the deal as a response to the Houthis’ promise to ease their military actions.
Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi expressed optimism about the ramifications of the negotiations, stating that discussions aimed at de-escalation have led to mutual commitments between the two parties. “Neither side will target the other… ensuring freedom of navigation and the smooth flow of international commercial shipping,” he declared, highlighting the significance of the agreement for regional security.
After a seven-week bombing campaign by U.S. forces, resulting in approximately 300 fatalities among Houthis, Trump asserted that the rebels had “capitulated.” However, Houthi political leader Mahdi al-Mashar refrained from comment on the ceasefire but warned of a forthcoming “painful” response to Israeli strikes that had targeted their positions. Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdelsalam echoed this sentiment, maintaining that any renewed U.S. attacks would elicit retaliation. He referenced the collective experiences of the U.S. in Yemen, suggesting that the historical context substantiates the seriousness of the ceasefire.
In the backdrop of this development, attacks on Israel were reaffirmed as ongoing by the Houthis, with Mashar vowing that their actions would persist beyond what Israel can endure. The Houthis have escalated their military engagements, launching missiles and drones toward Israel and shipping channels in the Red Sea amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict that ignited late last year, positioning their actions as solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
During a press event alongside Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Trump noted the Houthis’ claimed desire to cease hostilities, affirming the U.S. commitment to ending bombings. “They say they will not be blowing up ships anymore, and that’s… the purpose of what we were doing,” he remarked, framing the ceasefire as a favorable outcome for U.S. interests.
The ceasefire came on the heels of intense Israeli strikes that left Sanaa’s international airport incapacitated, alongside other critical infrastructure. An airport official described the attacks as having “completely destroyed” the facility, which had only recently reopened to international flights after a prolonged blockade. The strikes by Israeli forces were in retaliation for a Houthi missile that impacted near Tel Aviv’s main airport, further escalating regional tensions.
Local residents reported distressing conditions in Sanaa, with accounts of fear permeating homes after the barrage of missiles. Many reported power outages and anxiety among children, who were left shaken by the violence. Despite military advisories from Israel urging civilians to evacuate the area, the Houthi leadership has committed to retaliatory actions, asserting their enduring commitment to Yemen’s position in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In light of these developments, regional instability appears heightened, reflecting the complexities of the Israel-Hamas war. The UN special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, condemned the cycle of attacks, deeming it a serious escalation in an already volatile context. With calls for a balanced approach to security in the region growing louder, the implications of this ceasefire remain uncertain amid the backdrop of ongoing military confrontations.
