The United States and Yemen’s Houthi forces declared a US-Houthi ceasefire deal as of early May 2025. This is a major breakthrough following around two months of increased US bombing campaigns in Yemen. The US initiated these campaigns because Houthi forces were consistently attacking international ships within the Red Sea, those linked with Israel, to show their strong support toward Palestine. Notably, mediation efforts spearheaded by Oman allegedly facilitated this deal.
Trump Confirms End to Bombings
US President Donald Trump personally announced the ceasefire. He also declared that the US bombing campaign against Houthi targets would be stopped. In President Trump’s words, the Houthi forces have “capitulated.” He added that they have agreed to desist from their attacks on vessels passing through the critical Red Sea shipping lane. As such, the overarching objective of the US military intervention, which was freedom of navigation, now appears attainable through this deal.
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Emphasis on Shipping in the Red Sea
It was also asserted by Omani officials that their significant role includes brokering the truce. According to them, the agreement seeks to reduce tensions profoundly. In addition, it endeavors to ensure no side will engage in attacking the other. Thus, one fundamental outcome is shielding international commercial shipping in the Bab al-Mandab Strait as well as in the Red Sea.
But Houthi spokesmen have said their position on Israel may not be altered by this agreement. They also intimated that any resumption of US attacks would definitely be answered. Moreover, the US State Department has explained that this specific ceasefire mainly deals with the security of shipping lanes. Therefore, it does not necessarily apply to the independent conflict between the Houthis and Israel. This ceasefire, however, introduces calm to a tinderbox era. This era featured US airstrikes virtually daily and continued Houthi resistance. The world will closely watch now if this accord endures and finally leads to stabilisation of this critical sea area.
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