U.S. president Trump announces cessation of bombing Houthis in Yemen, following rebels' promise to halt attacks on ships.
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Donald J. Trump declared a halt to U.S. airstrikes on Yemen's Houthis, backed by Iran, during an Oval Office meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Seems like the Houthis have surrendered the fight, promising they'll stop assaulting vessels along a crucial global trade route.
"That's right, we're putting a stop to the bombing of the Houthis, effective now!" Trump proclaimed. The airstrikes commenced back in March when the Houthis made threats to bomb Israeli vessels in response to Israel's blockade on Gaza.
Trump confirmed that Houthi representatives had indicated that they're no longer interested in fighting and have sworn to cease attacks on boats. This abrupt end to the airstrike campaign likely signals a termination of approximately two months of bombings.
Israel allegedly has some reservations regarding this agreement as the Houthis have continued launching attacks on Israeli territory. According to an anonymous source, Israel was yet to receive notice of the agreement between the U.S. and Houthis before Trump's announcement.
Trump commented, "The Houthis have surrendered but what truly matters is they've pledged to stop blowing up ships, which was the whole purpose of our actions." This move has a positive spin, according to Trump, since the Houthis reportedly were responsible for a significant number of sunken ships.
The details behind how the Houthis communicated their intention to end hostilities remain scant. Trump only chuckled when asked about this, stating that he received the information from a credible source.
Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi later confirmed the end of U.S. bombings, sharing on Twitter that discussions between the U.S., Oman, and negotiation parties within Yemen have resulted in a ceasefire agreement between the two sides. This agreement won't allow either side to target the other in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, ensuring the safety of American vessels and the smooth flow of international commerce.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised Trump, stating that "Making sure American vessels can sail safely is the goal, and peace through power is in action." Although Trump depicted this agreement as a means to restore commercial shipping without fear of Houthi attacks, conflicts with the Houthis persist towards Israel, as noted by Gregory Brew, a senior analyst for the Eurasia Group risk-analysis firm.
Enrichment data:
Background: Relentless airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen have been occurring since Trump initiated them in March 2025, in response to the group resuming attacks on Israeli vessels as a consequence of Israel's blockade on Gaza. The Houthis posed threats to ships in key maritime routes such as the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which are vital for global shipping and energy supplies.
Ceasefire and U.S. Decision to Halt Strikes: Trump's decision to halt U.S. airstrikes against the Houthis came on May 6, 2025, under the guise of the group's pledge to cease attacks on ships in the region and their intentions to no longer fight. Oman played a crucial role in mediating this ceasefire, brokering an agreement between the U.S. and the Houthis to cease attacks on one another in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait. This deal aims to ensure safety for American vessels and a smooth flow of international commerce in these regions.
Implications for the Red Sea and International Trade:
- Maritime Security and Shipping Lanes: The airstrikes disrupted shipping profoundly, causing cost, delays, and increased insurance premiums. The ceasefire and the halt of U.S. strikes aim to restore balance and ensure the security of these essential international shipping lanes.
- Energy Markets and Supply Chains: The Red Sea is a significant route for energy shipments from the Middle East to Europe and beyond. Instability in the area impacts global energy prices and supply chains directly.
- Potential for Future Tensions: The future of the ceasefire depends on the Houthis' loyalty to their commitments. In the event of renewed attacks, there's a risk of increased military engagement or further escalations involving regional actors.
- In a surprising turn of events, a ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and the Houthis was confirmed in 2023, marking an end to the roughly two-month-long airstrike campaign led by President Trump.
- The abrupt cessation of airstrikes is seen as a positive step in the realm of national politics and general news, as the Houthis had been responsible for a significant number of sunken ships, causing disruption in global trade routes.
- Despite the ceasefire, the Middle East remains a hotspot for war-and-conflicts, as Israel reportedly has some reservations due to continued Houthi attacks on its territory.
- Trump's decision to halt the airstrikes was effective in halting the Houthis' assaults on vessels along the crucial global trade route, however, the details surrounding the Houthis' intention to cease hostilities remain unclear.
- While the ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Houthis aims to ensure the safety of American vessels and the free flow of international commerce in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, future tensions cannot be ruled out, given the complexities of the region's politics and military involvement.
- In an effort to maintain peace and protect American interests, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth praised Trump for his decision, stating that "Making sure American vessels can sail safely is the goal, and peace through power is in action."
