US reaches ceasefire deal with Yemen’s Houthis, Israel left out
A ceasefire deal between the United States and Yemen’s Houthis makes no provision to exclude Israel from potential future operations, as reported by Middle East Eye via Reuters on May 7th.
Houthi chief negotiator Mohammed Abdulsalam stated: “The agreement does not include Israel in any way, shape or form.” This indicates that maritime attacks affecting global trade may not completely cease.
Last year, Washington decided to relabel the Houthis as a terrorist organisation. In response, Houthi leader Abdul Malik stated that the group would continue targeting ships linked to Israel and launching strikes until the blockade on Gaza ends, as reported by Reuters on January 18th 2024.
The National reported on March 28th, that the US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated he was “proud” of the US military’s operations against the Houthis. Hegseth defended the airstrikes as a response to Houthi drone and missile attacks on US and Israeli targets in the Red Sea.
Additionally, Concerns over civilian casualties were raised following US airstrikes, an attack which killed at least 68 people at a detention centre in Saada, Yemen, according to Middle East Eye on April 28th. The UN expressed alarm over the attacks and called on all parties to ensure the protection of civilians.
According to the UN’s 2025 Yemen Humanitarian Response Plan, over 17 million Yemenis could face acute food insecurity this year. As reported by Asharq Al-Awsat on February 11th, most of those affected live in Houthi-controlled areas.
On May 6th, US President Donald Trump announced that the United States would halt airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. He stated the Houthis had agreed to stop disrupting key shipping routes in the Middle East. Oman played a mediating role in securing this agreement, Middle East Eye reported on May 7th.
Asharq Al-Awsat, Middle East Eye, Reuters, The National
