In a dramatic turn of events, U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Yemen’s Houthi movement. The deal, he said, would take immediate effect.
Since March, the U.S. had launched sustained military strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen, aiming to deter the group from disrupting global shipping through the Red Sea. The Houthis had carried out a series of attacks on vessels in the area, claiming solidarity with Palestinians amid Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Most of the Houthi strikes targeted ships with links to the U.S. and Israel.
Trump’s announcement, later confirmed by Houthi officials, marks a de-escalation in hostilities. Under the agreement, both sides will halt military operations against one another.
However, the Houthis stressed that Israel would continue to be a target until it ends its assault on Palestinian territories.
The group had previously targeted high-value U.S. military assets, including aircraft carriers deployed in the region.
Israel is yet to issue a formal response to the ceasefire agreement between its top ally and the Yemeni insurgents.
