Trump Says U.S. Will Cease Strikes on Yemen’s Houthis After Rebels Pledge to Halt Attacks on Shipping Lanes
In a significant de-escalation of tensions in the Red Sea region, former U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that the United States will suspend its military operations against Yemen’s Houthi rebels following their commitment to stop targeting international shipping. The announcement marks a potential turning point in the months-long conflict that has threatened global maritime trade and regional stability.
Speaking at a rally in Florida, Trump revealed that backchannel negotiations had led to what he described as a “mutual understanding” between the U.S. and Houthi leadership. “We’ve made incredible progress. The Houthis have agreed to stop launching attacks on commercial vessels, and in response, we’re halting our bombing campaign,” Trump told supporters.
The development comes after weeks of U.S.-led airstrikes against Houthi missile sites and command centers in Yemen, actions that Washington said were necessary to protect international shipping routes through the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The Houthis, aligned with Iran, have been accused of threatening global trade by launching drone and missile attacks on cargo ships, particularly those with links to Israel or the West.
Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam confirmed the group’s decision to stop attacks in a statement broadcast on the rebel-controlled Al-Masirah TV. “We have sent a clear message that our operations will cease as long as aggression against our land and people also stops,” he said, referring to the U.S. and coalition airstrikes.
While the White House has not officially confirmed Trump’s statements, sources familiar with the matter suggest that diplomatic channels involving Oman and the United Nations played a key role in facilitating the agreement. Observers see this as a fragile but positive step toward reducing hostilities in one of the world’s most volatile maritime corridors.
Security analysts caution, however, that the situation remains fluid. “While the Houthis’ pledge is promising, enforcement will be the real test. Any perceived violation by either side could quickly reignite the conflict,” said James Farrow, a Middle East policy expert at the Atlantic Council.
The Houthis’ attacks in recent months have drawn international condemnation, as shipping giants rerouted vessels to avoid the Red Sea, raising costs and fears of broader instability. The U.S. launched “Operation Prosperity Guardian” in late 2024 alongside allies to secure the critical waterway, which handles a significant percentage of global oil and goods transport.
Trump’s announcement, although controversial, has been welcomed by some humanitarian groups who hope it will alleviate suffering in Yemen, where years of conflict have created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
With ceasefire talk gaining traction, attention now turns to whether a longer-term peace framework can be established—not just between the U.S. and the Houthis, but within the broader context of Yemen’s ongoing civil war.
Source : Swifteradio.com
