Yemen’s Houthi chief negotiator, Mohammed Abdulsalam, has clarified that their ceasefire agreement with the United States excludes operations against Israel.
Abdulsalam told Reuters on Wednesday that attacking Israel was not included “in any way, shape or form” in the Oman-mediated deal. This announcement came shortly after Israeli warplanes struck Yemen’s Sanaa airport, causing approximately $500 million in damage according to airport director Khaled al-Shaief.
The ceasefire was announced Tuesday by US President Donald Trump, who declared that attacks on Yemen would cease immediately after the Houthis agreed to stop targeting vessels in the Red Sea.
Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi confirmed the agreement, stating that “following recent discussions and contacts… with the aim of de-escalation, efforts have resulted in a ceasefire agreement between the two sides.” The deal specifies that “neither side will target the other… ensuring freedom of navigation and the smooth flow of international commercial shipping” in the Red Sea.
Since Israel began its war on Gaza in October 2023 following Hamas’s attack on southern Israel, the Houthis have targeted Israel and vessels in the Red Sea in solidarity with Palestinians. The group briefly paused their attacks during Gaza’s temporary ceasefire earlier this year but resumed operations when Israel enforced a total blockade on Gaza in early March and continued the war.
The Houthis had also threatened to restart shipping attacks, which had been suspended since January. These threats prompted nearly daily US military airstrikes in response.
When announcing the agreement, Trump stated the Houthis “don’t want to fight any more” and that “we will honor that, and we will stop the bombings, and they have capitulated.” He added, “They say they will not be blowing up ships any more, and that’s… the purpose of what we were doing.”
However, Abdulsalam warned on Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV that “if the American enemy resumes its attacks, we will resume our strikes,” adding that “the real guarantee for the accord is the dark experience that the United States has had in Yemen.”
Houthi political leader Mahdi al-Mashat emphasized that attacks on Israel “will continue” and go “beyond what the Israeli enemy can withstand.”
On Sunday, a Houthi ballistic missile attack on Ben Gurion International Airport hit the perimeter, injuring eight people, damaging infrastructure, and temporarily halting air traffic. The Israeli military acknowledged its defense system failed to intercept the projectile despite multiple attempts and stated an investigation was underway.
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Trump Strikes Ceasefire Deal While Houthis Pledge Continued Attacks Against Israel
Yemen's Houthi chief negotiator, Mohammed Abdulsalam, has clarified that their ceasefire agreement with the United States excludes operations against Israel. Abdulsalam told Reuters on Wednesday that attacking Israel was not included "in any way, shape or form" in the Oman-mediated deal. This announcement came shortly after Israeli warplanes struck Yemen's Sanaa airport, causing approximately $500 million in damage according to airport director Khaled al-Shaief. The ceasefire was announced Tuesday by US President Donald Trump, who declared that attacks on Yemen would cease immediately after the Houthis agreed to stop targeting vessels in the Red Sea. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi confirmed the agreement, stating that "following recent discussions and contacts... with the aim of de-escalation, efforts have resulted in a ceasefire agreement between the two sides." The deal specifies that "neither side will target the other... ensuring freedom of navigation […]
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