President Donald Trump has declared that the United States will cease its daily bombing operations in Yemen, following an agreement with the Houthis, as Oman confirms its role in facilitating a ceasefire between Washington and the militant group.
During a press conference at the White House with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Trump stated, ‘The Houthis have informed us that they no longer wish to engage in combat. We respect their decision and will halt the bombings.’ He asserted that the Iran-aligned Yemeni faction has ‘surrendered’ and has committed to refraining from attacks on maritime vessels, which had escalated in October 2023 amid the Gaza conflict, justified by the Houthis as support for Palestinians.
‘I trust their commitment, and we will immediately stop the bombings targeting the Houthis,’ the president affirmed.
Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi announced that both parties have reached a ceasefire agreement. ‘After recent discussions and communications initiated by Oman with the United States and relevant authorities in Sana’a, Yemen, aimed at reducing tensions, a ceasefire agreement has been established between the two parties,’ he shared on X. ‘Moving forward, neither side will engage in hostilities against the other, including American ships, in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, thereby ensuring the freedom of navigation and the uninterrupted flow of international trade.’
Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a member of the Houthis’ Supreme Political Council, stated in a post on X that the announcement by Trump regarding a cessation of American aggression towards Yemen will first be assessed based on real-world developments. He emphasized that operations in Yemen have historically supported Gaza in its fight against aggression and in facilitating aid, indicating that the group is unlikely to cease its attacks on Israel.
US State Department clarified that the agreement does not pertain to the conflict between Israel and the Houthis, specifying that it is focused on Houthi activities along the Yemeni coast, particularly concerning US shipping.
This ceasefire announcement followed shortly after the Israeli military conducted airstrikes on Sanaa’s airport, causing significant destruction and rendering it non-operational. Additionally, numerous Israeli warplanes executed extensive overnight strikes on Yemen’s crucial port of Hodeidah, which Israel claimed was a retaliation for a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis that targeted the vicinity of Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport.
For nearly two months, the US military has been conducting daily airstrikes across Yemen, resulting in the destruction of infrastructure and the deaths of many, including children and civilians.
It is plausible that Iran played a role in persuading the Houthis to reduce their attacks. Oman has been a key mediator between the US and Iran, as well as between the Houthis and the Americans. There are signs that nuclear negotiations are progressing, with a potential framework emerging for lifting sanctions in exchange for nuclear limitations.
Analysts suggested that Iranian influence may have encouraged the Houthis to de-escalate, particularly if this is reflected in the ongoing Iranian-American discussions, which could expedite the nuclear talks.
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