President Donald Trump announced Tuesday that the United States will immediately halt its bombing campaign against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels following a ceasefire agreement mediated by Oman.
“We’re going to stop the bombing of the Houthis, effective immediately,” Trump said during an Oval Office meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Trump characterized the development as a Houthi capitulation, saying “they have capitulated but, more importantly, we will take their word that they say they will not be blowing up ships anymore. And that’s what the purpose of what we were doing.”
The announcement came hours after Israel conducted strikes on Yemen’s Sanaa airport, which Israeli officials claim has been “fully disabled.” Israel launched the strikes in retaliation for a Houthi missile that struck near Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport on Sunday.
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According to Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, discussions between the United States, Oman and Yemeni authorities led to the ceasefire agreement.
The US military campaign against the Houthis began in mid-March in response to rebel attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. A US official said the operation has cost more than $750 million so far.
Despite the agreement with the United States, Houthi leaders said their position on Gaza remains unchanged. “There is no turning back from supporting Gaza, no matter the cost,” said Mahdi al-Mashat, head of the Houthis’ Supreme Political Council.
Trump, who is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates next week, confirmed he will not include Israel in his itinerary.
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