Trump Confirms Halt to Yemen Bombing after US-Houthi Ceasefire Brokered by Oman

Wednesday 07 May 2025 - 07:30

By: Zahouani Ilham

Trump Confirms Halt to Yemen Bombing after US-Houthi Ceasefire Brokered by Oman

President Donald Trump has declared that the United States will immediately cease its bombing campaign in Yemen, following a mutual agreement with the Houthi group. The announcement came after Oman confirmed its successful mediation of a ceasefire deal between the US and the Iran-aligned Yemeni faction.

Speaking at the White House during a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Trump stated that the Houthis had communicated their desire to stop fighting. “They told us they no longer want to continue the conflict, and we respect that decision,” Trump said. He added that the Houthis have pledged not to attack maritime routes, a reference to the group’s recent assaults on shipping that began in October 2023 in support of Palestinians amid the Gaza conflict.

Trump emphasized that he is taking the Houthis at their word and that the US would cease its airstrikes on the group immediately.

Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi confirmed the agreement on social media, stating that talks between Oman, the US, and Yemeni representatives in Sana’a had resulted in a de-escalation deal. According to Albusaidi, the agreement ensures that neither side will target the other—including American vessels—across the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, thereby protecting international shipping lanes.

Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a senior political figure in the Houthi movement, responded cautiously, saying that Trump’s statement would be evaluated based on developments on the ground. He reiterated that the Houthis’ operations had been in solidarity with Gaza and suggested they would continue to resist Israeli actions.

US officials later clarified that the agreement with the Houthis is limited to Yemen’s coastal region and does not extend to the broader Israel-Houthi conflict.

This development occurred just after Israeli airstrikes rendered Sanaa’s airport inoperable and heavily bombed the Hodeidah port, in retaliation for a Houthi missile that reportedly struck near Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport.

The US military had been carrying out daily airstrikes across Yemen for nearly two months, resulting in the destruction of civilian infrastructure and numerous deaths, including children.

Al Jazeera correspondent Ali Hashem noted that Iran may have played a behind-the-scenes role in persuading the Houthis to scale back their operations. He also suggested the ceasefire could be linked to broader US-Iran negotiations over nuclear issues and sanctions relief.