.jpg) Trump announces the ceasefire during a meeting with Canadian Prime MinisterMark Carney, May 6, 2025 | |
| Context | EndingOperation Prosperity Guardian andUS–UK airstrikes on Yemen |
|---|---|
| Effective | May 6, 2025 |
| Mediators |  Oman |
| Parties |  United States Houthis |
On May 6, 2025, a ceasefire deal between theUnited States and theHouthi movement inYemen—brokered byOman—took hold, ending theMarch–May 2025 United States attacks in Yemen, as well as the widerUS–UK airstrikes on Yemen since the beginning of theRed Sea crisis. The Houthis agreed to halt their attacks on U.S. vessels but otherwise would continue theirattacks on vessels in theRed Sea[1] and emphasized that the ceasefire did not in "any way, shape, or form" apply toIsrael, which had begun launchingits own strikes on Yemen.[2]
The Houthi movement begantargeting international shipping in October 2023, afterIsrael invaded the Gaza Strip in response to theOctober 7 attacks. Claiming solidarity withPalestinians and aiming to pressureIsrael into agreeing to a ceasefire and lifting itsblockade of Gaza,[3] the Houthis launched missiles and drones at vessels traveling near Yemen, and also firedballistic missiles and launcheddrone attacks at Israeli cities,killing at least one civilian inTel Aviv andstriking the perimeter ofBen Gurion Airport.[4][5] In response, the United States, theUnited Kingdom, and a multinational coalition beganOperation Prosperity Guardian, combining naval escorts with episodic airstrikes on Houthi military and civilian infrastructure.[6] On January 12, 2024, the United States, along with the United Kingdom, began launching cruise missile and airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen in response to Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea.[7]
The Houthis halted their attacks on vessels following theJanuary 2025 Gaza war ceasefire, but immediately resumed the attacks after Israel ended the ceasefire bybombing the Gaza Strip in March 2025. As a result, the United States launched a large campaign of air and naval strikes againstHouthi targets inYemen on March 15, 2025, including radar systems, air defenses, and ballistic and drone launch sites used by the Houthis.[8]
On May 6, 2025, U.S. PresidentDonald Trump declared an end to the strikes on Yemen, stating that they were over, "effective immediately," as a result of a ceasefire between the U.S. and the Houthis, brokered by Oman.[9] The announcement took place during a meeting withCanadian Prime MinisterMark Carney at theOval Office.[10] The Houthis agreed to halt attacks on vessels in the Red Sea but emphasized that the ceasefire did not in "any way, shape, or form" apply to Israel.[2] While Trump framed the truce as the Houthis having "capitulated" and not "want[ing] to fight anymore," while also having shown "a lot of bravery," the Houthis stated that it was in fact the U.S. that "backed down."[11] Administration officials interviewed by theNew York Times said that Trump agreed to the cease fire because the airstrikes were not achieving their objectives and the United States failed to achieveair superiority against the Houthis.[12] According to reports, Iran played a role in persuading the Houthis to reach a truce with the United States to help build "momentum" for the2025 U.S.–Iran nuclear negotiations.[13]
In response to Israeli backlash, U.S. ambassador to IsraelMike Huckabee said that the United States does not require Israeli approval to reach a ceasefire deal, asserting that the United States will take action against threats to U.S. citizens and not necessarily Israel.[14]
Amid the intensification of theIran–Israel war in June 2025, the Houthis vowed to join the war on the side of Iran if the United States assisted Israel in offensive strikes against Iran. Followingthe U.S. strikes on Iran on June 21, the Houthis indicated they would end the ceasefire, but there has been no resumption of hostilities.[15][16] The Houthis resumed attacks on non-U.S. vessels in the Red Sea on July 6, 2025, sinking the Liberian-flagged cargo ship Magic Seas, during the attack killed three mariners and wounded two others.[17][18]
According to former U.S. Middle East envoyDennis Ross, the U.S.–Houthi truce sidelined the Israeli government, indicating that "the Trump Administration thinks about America's interests."[19] Analysts also noted that the Houthis are the "biggest winners" of the ceasefire, as they will continue to target Israel and Israeli-linked vessels.[20]
Israel: Following the ceasefire deal, Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu asserted that "Israel will defend itself by itself."[19] Israeli Defense MinisterIsrael Katz said that "Israel must be able to defend itself by itself against any threat and any enemy."[19] According to Israeli officials, Israel was not given "advance notice" of the U.S.-Houthi ceasefire. Israeli media described the ceasefire as "very bad news for Israel" and "doubly surpris[ing]".[21]
Iran: Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei welcomed the cessation of attacks and praised the "steadfastness and perseverance" of Yemenis supporting the Palestinian people.[22]
Saudi Arabia: The Saudi foreign ministry welcomed the ceasefire in Yemen "with the aim of protecting international navigation and trade."[23]
United Nations: UN Secretary General deputy spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay welcomed the ceasefire and commended Oman's efforts in securing the agreement.[22]{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)Second presidency of Donald Trump (2025–present) | |||||||||||||||
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