Oman announced a ceasefire deal mediated between Yemen’s Houthis and the U.S., marking a shift in the Houthis’ policy amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza that began in October 2023. According to Oman, both parties agreed not to target each other, including U.S. vessels in strategic regions such as the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait. This new agreement follows a series of Houthi attacks on shipping routes in response to the Gaza war, framed as support for the Palestinian cause.
President Trump stated that the U.S. will halt airstrikes against the Houthis after the group expressed a desire to cease attacks on important shipping lanes. Trump highlighted the Houthis’ commitment to not attack U.S. ships as a basis for the cessation of military operations, which had escalated under his administration, leading to significant casualties among Yemenis.
Tensions surged after a Houthi missile nearly struck Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, resulting in Israeli airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen, including Sanaa’s main airport. Trump’s increase in military strikes came after the Houthis’ announcement to resume attacks on Israeli vessels in critical maritime routes, which account for approximately 15% of global shipping traffic.
Under the previous Biden administration, there were retaliatory airstrikes against Houthi positions to maintain the security of these crucial trade routes. The situation remains dynamic with ongoing hostilities, as evidenced by a recent deadly strike that resulted in numerous civilian casualties in Yemen. As both sides navigate this ceasefire, the future landscape of U.S.-Houthi relations and regional stability remains uncertain.
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