Amid ongoing Middle East tensions, the Houthis vow to continue operations related to the Israel-Palestine conflict despite the ceasefire agreement.
Trump Announces U.S. Halting Airstrikes on Houthi Rebels
Trump Announces U.S. Halting Airstrikes on Houthi Rebels
In a surprising development, President Trump declares an end to U.S. airstrikes against the Iranian-backed Houthi militia in Yemen.
The U.S. will cease bombing Houthi militants, President Trump stated on Tuesday, highlighting that the Iranian-backed group expressed a desire to halt hostilities. While meeting with Canadian Prime Minister, Trump remarked, “They just don’t want to fight anymore,” suggesting the Houthis had capitulated and promising to honor their word to stop attacks on shipping routes.
Following Trump’s announcement, Mohammed Al-Bukhaiti, a senior Houthi official, claimed that if America ceased its airstrikes on Yemen, the militia would reciprocate by stopping their assaults on U.S. military assets. However, Al-Bukhaiti made it clear that military operations “in support of Gaza” would persist until the Israeli siege is lifted, regardless of the potential for ongoing conflict.
This declaration has raised concerns about whether the Houthis would truly cease disrupting international shipping, which had been a significant objective of the U.S. bombing campaign. Historically, the Houthis have attacked vessels without obvious connections to Israel or the U.S., complicating the situation.
Experts, like Gregory Johnsen—a former member of the U.N. Security Council’s Panel of Experts on Yemen—express skepticism about the Houthis’ claims of wanting peace. While they may have privately communicated intentions not to target U.S. interests, Johnsen suggests that a complete cessation of conflict is unlikely. The scenario remains fluid, with the potential for escalations still present amidst the shifting dynamics of regional conflicts.
Following Trump’s announcement, Mohammed Al-Bukhaiti, a senior Houthi official, claimed that if America ceased its airstrikes on Yemen, the militia would reciprocate by stopping their assaults on U.S. military assets. However, Al-Bukhaiti made it clear that military operations “in support of Gaza” would persist until the Israeli siege is lifted, regardless of the potential for ongoing conflict.
This declaration has raised concerns about whether the Houthis would truly cease disrupting international shipping, which had been a significant objective of the U.S. bombing campaign. Historically, the Houthis have attacked vessels without obvious connections to Israel or the U.S., complicating the situation.
Experts, like Gregory Johnsen—a former member of the U.N. Security Council’s Panel of Experts on Yemen—express skepticism about the Houthis’ claims of wanting peace. While they may have privately communicated intentions not to target U.S. interests, Johnsen suggests that a complete cessation of conflict is unlikely. The scenario remains fluid, with the potential for escalations still present amidst the shifting dynamics of regional conflicts.
