A ceasefire between the U.S. and Houthi rebels has paused airstrikes but intensified regional tensions, exposing deeper fault lines tied to Iran’s influence.
At a Glance
- U.S. halts airstrikes on Houthis following Oman-mediated ceasefire
- Houthis agree to stop targeting U.S. ships, but continue attacking Israel
- Israel retaliates after missile strike hits near Ben Gurion Airport
- Oman’s neutrality questioned due to alleged Houthi logistics support
- Ceasefire aims to secure commercial flow in Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab
U.S. Ceasefire with Houthis: A Strategic Shift
In a major shift in U.S. military policy, President Donald Trump has halted aerial offensives against Yemen’s Houthi rebels, following a ceasefire negotiated by Oman. The agreement ensures that neither side—including American vessels—will engage in hostilities in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, according to BBC News.
Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi confirmed the deal, stressing its role in protecting international commercial routes. Yet while U.S. targeting stops, the Houthis explicitly stated the truce does not include Israel, underscoring the fragility of the deal and its limited scope.
Watch Al Jazeera’s coverage at Trump says bombing of Yemen to stop as Oman confirms U.S.-Houthi ceasefire.
Israeli Retaliation and Regional Fallout
Just days after the ceasefire, the Houthis launched a ballistic missile that struck near Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, injuring multiple civilians and temporarily halting air traffic. In swift retaliation, Israel launched targeted airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen, including munitions depots near the Hodeida port and military facilities disguised as civilian infrastructure, according to Fox News.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu didn’t mince words: “Whoever attacks the State of Israel will pay the price,” he declared, reinforcing his administration’s red line.
Questioning Oman’s Mediation
While Oman has played a visible role in mediating ceasefires, experts warn its proximity to Houthi supply lines complicates its neutrality. “To hold them up as responsible intermediaries when they are in fact hosting the very group we’re trying to dismantle—there’s very little logic in this position,” said Jonathan Schanzer of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, as reported by The Hill.
Oman has long walked a fine line, serving as a conduit for both U.S.-Iran nuclear talks and, allegedly, covert smuggling operations that arm the Houthis with Iranian drones, missiles, and guidance systems.
Strategic Implications Beyond the Truce
The truce has momentarily calmed Red Sea waters, ensuring the safe passage of vessels through a critical global trade artery. But experts like Ari Heistein warn the move may allow Houthis to regroup and rearm, absent a comprehensive containment strategy. “Halting attacks on shipping is a meaningful achievement only if it’s part of a long-term vision,” he noted.
Trump’s team defends the decision as a tactical pivot—part of a broader effort to reset Middle East priorities—but without sustained diplomatic and military pressure, analysts fear the Houthis and their backers in Tehran may interpret the move as weakness.
Conclusion
The halt in U.S. airstrikes marks a tactical pause, not a permanent solution. While Oman-brokered negotiations have yielded a fragile ceasefire, the broader regional chessboard remains volatile. Without integrating military deterrence, diplomatic leverage, and containment of Iranian proxies, the risk of escalation looms large.
