After a joint military initiative by the US and Israel, Houthi militants in Yemen are celebrating what they call a halting of US bombings, claiming they’ve proven resilient following a ceasefire agreement with Washington.
This ceasefire, brokered by Oman, aims to reduce hostilities in the Red Sea area. As part of the deal, the Houthis have promised to stop attacking US vessels, while the US will pause airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.
President Donald Trump suggested that the rebels have been “subdued,” but it’s important to note that Israel has not reached a similar ceasefire.
“It’s a very unstable agreement,” noted Thomas Juneau, a Middle Eastern expert from the University of Ottawa.
This week, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) conducted significant airstrikes on Sanaa, Yemen’s capital, aimed at Houthi infrastructure. This assault has disrupted Sana International Airport and caused extensive damage to power facilities, following a Houthi missile attack near Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport which injured several individuals.
The IDF indicated that the targeted locations were being used by Houthis to shift weapons and troops. Prior to this, the US had been involved in a considerable airstrike campaign targeting over 1,000 Houthi sites, focusing on diminishing their capability to strike transport routes in the Red Sea and US naval interests. This campaign concluded with the recent ceasefire.
Since then, the Houthis have ceased attacks on US international shipping. However, Trump’s remarks were met with amusement by Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-Houti, who branded the situation a “complete success,” particularly regarding vital maritime routes.
According to reports, the Houthis continue to target Israeli vessels in major shipping lanes.
Since late 2023, the Houthis have been active in transport lanes in Israel and the Red Sea, claiming their actions express solidarity with the Palestinians. The conflict reignited on October 7, 2023, with an influx of Hamas militants attacking southern Israel, resulting in significant casualties and hostages.
Six months prior, Houthi assaults on commercial shipping largely ceased as foreign companies diverted their vessels to avoid the Red Sea, particularly after a ceasefire in Gaza collapsed in early March, prompting the resumption of strikes on Israel.
In the aftermath of resumed hostilities, Houthis reportedly launched a series of ballistic missiles and drones targeting Israel, including a strike near Ben Gurion Airport.
Despite the ceasefire with the US, Houthis regard the agreement as a triumph over the US, declaring an intent to engage US aerial assets during conflicts.
Middle East analyst Mohamed Albasha commented on the situation, suggesting that the Houthi losses reveal the extensive financial resources the US has invested.
“On the ground, anti-Houthi forces would struggle to execute ground operations without Emirati and Saudi support,” Albasha explained. Both Gulf nations have publicly rejected ground assaults, given their ongoing interactions with the Houthis.
As Israel significantly weakens Hamas and Hezbollah, experts argue that the Houthis are becoming Iran’s most formidable ally.
Their significance is increasing,” asserts Thomas Juneau, emphasizing that Tehran is providing them with technological and military support, although the Houthis are not mere puppets of Iran.
