Trump Halts U.S. Bombing Campaign Against Houthis in Yemen
In a surprise announcement from the White House, former U.S. President Donald J. Trump declared an immediate halt to American airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen, claiming the Iran-aligned group has agreed to cease all hostile activities, including missile launches and attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes.
“The Houthis have announced they no longer wish to fight. We’ll honor that, and we’re suspending the bombings,” Trump said during a joint press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
Trump’s remarks came just hours after the Israeli Air Force launched a significant offensive against Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, in retaliation for a recent missile strike targeting Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport. The Israeli campaign included two waves of precision airstrikes on Sana’a International Airport, reportedly rendering the hub inoperable. Infrastructure such as control towers, fuel depots, and terminal buildings were heavily damaged. Evacuation warnings were issued by the Israel Defense Forces ahead of the strike.
While no immediate casualties were confirmed, residents in Sana’a and Hodeidah reported extensive power outages and large plumes of smoke rising from critical infrastructure.
U.S. Strategy Reversal Sparks Israeli Concern
The decision to halt U.S. military operations was reportedly not coordinated with Israel, according to senior officials cited by The Jerusalem Post. The move has drawn criticism from Israeli political circles, who remain deeply concerned about the ongoing missile threat posed by Houthi forces—many of which have been aimed at Israel in recent weeks.
“We were blindsided,” one Israeli official said. “This creates uncertainty at a critical moment.”
Over the past month, the Houthis have launched at least 26 missile attacks toward Israeli territory. Though most were intercepted, the barrage has reinforced Tel Aviv’s security concerns about Houthi alignment with Tehran and Hamas.
Houthi Silence Fuels Doubts
Despite Trump's characterization of the situation as a “capitulation,” the Houthi leadership has yet to publicly confirm any formal ceasefire agreement. Early reports suggest the group remains defiant and committed to its stated goals, including its support for Hamas and opposition to Israeli operations in Gaza.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who stood beside Trump during the announcement, referred to the development as “significant” but stopped short of declaring it a formal truce. Questions remain about whether the Houthis will halt attacks on Israel or U.S. shipping interests in the Red Sea.
Context: A Month of Escalation
Since January 2024, U.S. forces—under Central Command (CENTCOM)—have been targeting Houthi infrastructure in response to attacks on maritime commerce. The campaign intensified under Trump’s return to the presidency, with hundreds of precision strikes authorized since mid-March 2025.
The most recent wave, launched in March, focused on degrading the Houthi’s long-range strike capabilities and was publicly backed by U.S. lawmakers.
Broader Tensions in Gaza and Diplomatic Fallout
Meanwhile, conflict in Gaza remains unresolved. Senior Hamas figures have dismissed ceasefire negotiations as meaningless in light of Israel’s continued restrictions on humanitarian access. With over 61,700 Palestinians reported dead, according to Gaza’s Government Media Office, calls for international intervention have grown.
The United States' sudden shift in Yemen policy has fueled speculation about Washington’s long-term reliability as a regional partner. Analysts suggest that Trump’s move could undermine U.S.-Israeli coordination and embolden adversaries if no verification of Houthi compliance is secured.
“The Middle East is once again being shaped by unilateral moves with global implications,” said geopolitical analyst Dr. Rana al-Ayubi. “The strategic vacuum created by sudden decisions can either lead to de-escalation—or spiral into wider conflict.”