A major breakthrough in the Middle East conflict emerged as the United States and Yemen’s Houthi rebels have agreed to a ceasefire, according to a statement from mediator Oman on Tuesday. The ceasefire aims to halt Houthi attacks on Red Sea commercial shipping, a move that may ease growing tensions in the region.
The Yemen ceasefire agreement, reached after intensive diplomatic efforts led by Oman, will protect international shipping routes and promote freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, a critical maritime corridor disrupted for months by Houthi missile strikes.
Following the deal, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that American forces would suspend operations against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, citing their agreement to cease maritime attacks. “They don’t want to fight anymore,” Trump said, emphasizing that Houthi forces had “capitulated” after a seven-week U.S. air campaign.
According to Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, the agreement stipulates that “neither side will target the other,” securing safe passage for global trade vessels across the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Continued Conflict With Israel
Despite the truce with the U.S., Houthi leaders warned that attacks on Israel would continue. Political chief Mahdi al-Mashat promised a “painful” response to deadly Israeli airstrikes on Sanaa’s airport, launched after Houthi missile fire struck near Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport.
Israeli warplanes destroyed major infrastructure at Sanaa International Airport, which has now suspended all flights. Israel’s military confirmed the site had been “fully disabled,” calling it a hub for Houthi militant activity.
The strikes follow months of Middle East conflict, as Houthi forces aligned with Palestinian causes in the Gaza war, targeting Israeli interests and international vessels in the region.
Regional and Global Reactions
The Pentagon revealed that U.S. forces have conducted over 1,000 airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen since March, responding to resumed threats against maritime trade. Meanwhile, United Nations envoy Hans Grundberg condemned the escalation on both sides, calling for renewed peace efforts.
Civilians in Sanaa have reported power outages and widespread fear. “Our children are terrified,” said one resident after Israeli raids hit power stations near the city.
The Sanaa airport, reopened in 2022 after a six-year Saudi blockade, was one of the last functioning gateways for international aid and travel, with regular flights to Jordan via Yemenia Airlines.
As ceasefire talks take effect, the world watches whether this agreement between the U.S. and Yemen’s Houthi movement will hold — and whether it can pave the way for broader Middle East peace in 2025.
