Houthi Spokesperson Confirms Exclusion of Israel in U.S.-Houthi Ceasefire Agreement
Title: Houthi Attacks on Israel and Red Sea Shipping: Current Standoff
In a twist of events, the ceasefire agreement between Yemen's Houthis and the U.S. does not guarantee a halt in attacks targeting Israel. This startling admission was made by Mohammed Abdulsalam, the Houthi chief negotiator, on Wednesday [1]. The deal, facilitated by Oman and announced by President Donald Trump, aimed to halt attacks on U.S. vessels [2].
Since the Kick-off of Israel's military offensive against Hamas in Gaza, the Houthis have been attacking both Israel and shipping in the Red Sea [3]. The recent escalation began with a Houthi missile landing near Israel's Ben Gurion Airport on May 4, 2025, prompting Israeli reprisals on Yemen's Hodeidah port [3].
In response to the Houthis' promise to halt attacks on U.S. ships, Trump declared an immediate end to the bombing of the Houthis [2]. However, the agreement does not rule out potential attacks on Israel-linked vessels or targets [2]. Iran, a suspected Houthi supporter, has expressed relief over the end of U.S. aggression in Yemen [2].
Throughout this conflict, the Houthi rebels have asserted their intention to continue attacks on Israel, despite Israeli airstrikes on their strongholds [3]. The Israeli military has destroyed part of Sanaa International Airport and urged the evacuation of Yemeni ports following these strikes [3].
Prior to Trump's presidency, under former President Joe Biden, the U.S. and Britain retaliated with air strikes against Houthi targets, aiming to preserve the crucial Red Sea trading route [3]. Tensions have been high since the Gaza war began, aggravated by the Houthi missile attack near Ben Gurion Airport [3].
It's essential to note that the Red Sea has been the primary focus of Houthi attacks targeting global shipping. However, there's no recent information available regarding Houthi attacks in the Arabian Sea [3]. The volatile nature of this conflict underscores the need for diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis [3].
Extra Insight:
- The Houthi attacks on Israel and shipping in the Red Sea signify broader tensions in the Middle East, with Iran being implicated as a Houthi supporter by Israel [3].
- The situation remains fraught with danger, as ongoing military operations and diplomatic efforts strive to manage the crisis [3].
- In April 2025, a suspected U.S. airstrike on a migrant center in Yemen resulted in 68 fatalities as reported by Houthi TV [3].
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/yemen-houthi-ceasefire-does-not-rule-out-attacks-israel-reuters-2025-05-05/[2] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/4/yemen-us-announces-ceasefire-with-houthis-to-end-air-strikes[3] https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/ou-saudi-arabia-houthi-yemen-war-explainer/[4] https://www.france24.com/en/2025-05-05-yemen-iran-fears-us-peace-move-with-houthis-isolates-houthis-insights-iran-yemen-houthi-war-red-sea-arabian-sea
- In the realm of world politics, concerns about potential AI-driven escalations in war-and-conflicts, such as the ongoing conflict in Yemen, have gained increased attention, given the recent Houthi attacks on Israeli ships in the Red Sea.
- As the world navigates through this volatile territory, political analysts are closely monitoring trade policy developments, especially pertaining to the Red Sea, a crucial global trade route that has been under threat due to the Houthi attacks.
- Beyond the Red Sea, there are whispers of a growing AI influence in military strategies, with speculation about potential AI-driven innovations that could shape the future of war-and-conflicts, particularly in the Middle East, under the backdrop of the Houthi-Israeli standoff.
