President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday that the United States would immediately stop its bombing campaign against Yemen’s Houthi rebels, saying the group had agreed to stop targeting international shipping. The announcement came during a meeting at the White House with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and marks a major shift in U.S. military strategy in the region.
“The Houthis have announced to us that they don’t want to fight any more,” Trump told reporters. “They just don’t want to fight, and we will honor that, and we will stop the bombings.”
According to Trump, the message was received Monday night from what he called “a very good source.” Although he did not confirm who delivered the message, he said, “They have capitulated,” and added, “They say they will not be blowing up ships anymore. And that’s what the purpose of what we were doing.”
Who Are the Houthis?
The Houthis, formally known as Ansar Allah, are a militant group based in northern Yemen. Backed by Iran, they control key regions of the country, including the capital city of Sanaa. The group has been involved in Yemen’s civil war for over a decade and has drawn international condemnation for its ties to Iran and its use of ballistic missiles, drones, and advanced weaponry.
In March 2025, the Trump administration officially designated the Houthis a terrorist organization, reversing a decision made under President Biden. Since then, U.S. forces have carried out hundreds of airstrikes targeting Houthi military infrastructure, command centers, weapons stockpiles, and air defenses.
According to U.S. Central Command, the campaign, known as “Operation Rough Rider,” has struck more than 1,000 targets and has significantly reduced the Houthis’ ability to launch attacks on commercial and military vessels. The Pentagon reports that ballistic missile launches by the Houthis have dropped by 69 percent, while drone attacks have fallen by 55 percent.
The Houthis began launching attacks on commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea in late 2023, shortly after the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war. They claimed the strikes were in support of Gaza and said they would continue until Israel ended its military campaign and lifted its blockade.
The attacks disrupted global trade routes and caused major shipping companies to reroute vessels around the southern tip of Africa. This added weeks to travel times and dramatically increased shipping costs. The Houthis have claimed responsibility for more than 500 attacks on vessels, according to the International Crisis Group.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained the U.S. objective clearly: “These are a band of individuals with advanced weaponry that were threatening global shipping, and the job was to get that to stop.”
The Nature of the Agreement
Although Trump referred to the development as “very good news,” he also made it clear that this was not a formal treaty or detailed agreement. “It’s not a deal,” Trump said. “They said, ‘Please don’t bomb us anymore and we’re not going to attack your ships.’”
Oman played a central role in mediating the ceasefire. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi confirmed that the two sides had reached an understanding. “Following recent discussions and contacts conducted by the Sultanate of Oman with the United States and the relevant authorities in Sanaa, in the Republic of Yemen, with the aim of de-escalation, efforts have resulted in a ceasefire agreement between the two sides,” he said on social media.
He added that “neither side will target the other, including American vessels, in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, ensuring freedom of navigation and the smooth flow of international commercial shipping.”
However, the agreement appears to be narrowly focused. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce clarified that the ceasefire does not extend to other areas of Houthi military activity. “This is about the Red Sea, the attacking of ships,” she said. “It does not relate to the Houthis’ attacks on Israel.”
Israel’s Reaction
Israel was not consulted before the U.S. decision to halt airstrikes, and sources told the Jerusalem Post that officials in Jerusalem were caught off guard. Just hours after Trump’s announcement, Israeli jets launched a series of large-scale airstrikes across Yemen, targeting infrastructure in Sanaa and the vital port city of Hodeidah.
The Israel Defense Forces said they struck runways, aircraft, and power stations used by the Houthis, claiming the group was using these facilities to import weapons and personnel from Iran. Israeli officials said the strikes were in direct response to a ballistic missile that hit near Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport earlier this week.
During Tuesday’s strikes, the Israeli military warned civilians in the area to evacuate before launching its attacks, which reportedly killed three people and injured more than 30. The Houthis confirmed the strikes and said they would continue their operations against Israel until the Gaza conflict ends.
Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a senior Houthi official, stated that the group would no longer target U.S. military ships if American strikes stopped. However, he added, “We will definitely continue our operations in support to Gaza.”
The Houthis’ Supreme Political Council released a statement on Tuesday reinforcing that position. “The Yemeni people remain committed to their pressure options against the [Israeli] entity until the aggression on Gaza stops and the blockade is lifted,” it said.
Impact on U.S. Policy and the Region
The Trump administration’s announcement comes just days before the president is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Trump said he plans to make a “very, very big” and “positive” announcement during his trip but did not provide further details.
Some analysts believe the ceasefire could improve the climate for ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran. Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, has been leading diplomatic efforts both with the Houthis and with Iran, according to sources familiar with the matter. Iranian cooperation may have been a factor in convincing the Houthis to step back, though no official confirmation has been provided.
Al Jazeera’s Ali Hashem suggested that Iran may have seen this as a moment to reduce regional tension and advance negotiations. “There are indications that the nuclear talks are advancing, with a framework shaping over sanctions lifting in exchange for nuclear restrictions,” he said.
Despite the current calm in U.S.-Houthi relations, military officials remain cautious. The Pentagon has not confirmed a full stop to operations and continues to monitor the situation. Central Command is also reviewing reports of civilian casualties from past strikes, including incidents involving children.
A Fragile Peace
Although Trump’s decision has the potential to reduce hostilities in the Red Sea, the situation remains fragile. The Houthis appear committed to continuing their campaign against Israel, and Israeli leaders have made clear they will not hesitate to respond.
Still, the president remains optimistic. “They said they don’t want to fight anymore,” Trump said. “And we’ll take their word on it.”
Whether this truce holds or collapses under renewed attacks remains to be seen. But for now, the bombs have stopped falling, and ships can begin to move more freely through the Red Sea once again.
ACZ Editor: This is a smart move by Trump, showing that the U.S. is not vindictive and that he is willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. Trump does not believe they are done with their terrorist activisties and will like have to return to attacks, but he has shown the world that he will take any opportunity for peace.
And of course, the Houthis are supported by Iran, and Iran does not conduct operations without the tacit approval of China – so this is a loss for China as well.