Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced a halt to U.S. military operations against Yemen’s Houthi rebels, declaring the group had “capitulated.” Trump said the Houthis, who had targeted commercial shipping in the Red Sea, expressed a desire to stop fighting. His statement came during a press briefing alongside Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Shortly after, Oman’s foreign minister confirmed a mediated ceasefire deal between the U.S. and the Iran-backed Houthis, stating that both sides agreed not to target each other going forward, ensuring freedom of navigation and secure international trade routes.
The Houthis have yet to comment on the ceasefire, but the Omani foreign minister, Badr al-Busaidi, emphasized that the agreement would end hostilities in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait. The U.S. had intensified airstrikes on Houthi targets since March, claiming over 1,000 hits.
The Houthis began attacking vessels in the Red Sea in support of Palestinians in Gaza amid Israel’s military campaign that followed the October 2023 Hamas attacks. Their actions severely disrupted global trade, prompting shipping companies to reroute vessels around Africa. While the ceasefire aims to stabilize the region, tensions remain high—Houthis continue launching missiles toward Israel, and Israel has responded with strikes on Yemeni infrastructure.
