President Donald Trump announced that the United States will immediately cease its airstrike campaign against the Houthi group in Yemen. This decision follows a statement from the Houthis indicating they would stop attacking U.S. military ships. Trump asserted that the group had “capitulated” and that his administration would take them at their word.
During a press briefing in the Oval Office, Trump did not disclose the source of the information regarding the Houthis’ commitment but referred to it as a “very good source.” The president emphasized that the airstrikes were intended to prevent the Houthis from targeting international shipping, which they have done extensively since the escalation of conflict following Hamas' attack on Israel in October 2023. Trump claimed that stopping the airstrikes is a positive development, especially considering the scale of the Houthi attacks on shipping routes.
Despite the cessation of U.S. airstrikes, a Houthi political council member, Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, clarified that while they may halt attacks on U.S. ships, their operations in support of Gaza would continue. This statement indicates a complex dynamic in the region, as the group ties its military actions to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
The announcement comes in the wake of recent Israeli airstrikes targeting Houthi infrastructure in Yemen, further complicating the geopolitical landscape. Secretary of State Marco Rubio supported Trump's decision, stating that the cessation of attacks on ships was the primary objective, justifying the end of the U.S. strikes.