Saudi Arabia Welcomes Ceasefire Between Houthi Rebels and the United States
Omani-brokered agreement aims to secure navigation and international trade in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Saudi Arabia officially welcomed the announcement from Oman regarding a ceasefire between Houthi rebels and the United States, intended to protect navigation and international trade routes.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated the Kingdom's support for all efforts aimed at achieving a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis, which would ensure the security and stability of Yemen and the surrounding region.
This ceasefire follows eight weeks of American airstrikes ordered by former President Donald Trump, which sought to eliminate the threat posed by the Houthis to maritime activities in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
During this period, the Houthi controlled territory experienced over 1,200 air and naval strikes.
The Houthis specifically exempted Israeli vessels from their threat, with Yemen’s Minister of Information, Muammar al-Eryani, stating that the group succumbed to the pressure of what he termed "precision strikes".
He interpreted this compliance as a message to Iran regarding the conclusion of its proxy wars.
In a tweet, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its welcome for the ceasefire, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding international shipping and trade.
Trump had initiated the military campaign against the Houthis on March 15, emphasizing a policy of "deadly force" to compel compliance from the group in relation to its maritime threats and attacks on vessels.
The U.S. operation, dubbed "Iron Horse," was joined by the United Kingdom a week prior, reflecting a symbolic aspect of the close alliance between London and Washington.
On Tuesday, Trump announced the surrender of the Houthis and the cessation of strikes, claiming, "We received very good news last night.
The Houthis have announced they no longer wish to fight, or at least they have told us they do not want to fight anymore." Trump confirmed he would respect this claim and halt military operations, asserting that the Houthis had surrendered and would no longer target ships.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio elucidated that the objective of the U.S. was to stop groups possessing advanced weaponry that posed threats to maritime shipping, indicating that the Houthis had ceased their activities.
Subsequently, Oman announced that its mediation had led to the agreement of a ceasefire, indicating that neither side would target the other, including U.S. vessels in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait, facilitating the continuation of international trade.
Oman expressed hope that this agreement would contribute to further progress on various regional issues, working towards justice, peace, and prosperity for all.
In a notable development shortly after Trump announced the halt to his strikes before his Middle East visit, Houthi leaders disclosed that their agreement with the U.S. excludes any operations against Israel, suggesting ongoing regional tensions linked to the conflict in Gaza.
Mohammed Abdusalame, the chief negotiator for the Houthis, stated, "The agreement does not involve Israel in any form...
what we have is with the Americans through Omani mediation, and the cessation will be about targeting U.S. ships only." He added that ships from Israel might remain vulnerable to attacks.
Furthermore, Houthi political bureau member Abdul Malik al-Ajri emphasized that waterways would remain safe for international shipping, with the exception of Israeli vessels, which could still be targeted.
Should Israel face additional Houthi hostility, it may respond unilaterally, similar to seven previous instances, most recently resulting in the destruction of the Al Hudaydah port, one of the two most significant Yemeni ports, along with direct strikes against infrastructure in Sana’a.
The extensive U.S. air offensive against the Houthis has reportedly resulted in the deaths and injuries of hundreds.
Yemeni observers and U.S. military data note that the strikes have inflicted significant losses on the Houthis, taking a toll on their military leadership and equipment.
Though the Houthis have aimed to downplay the impact of the assaults, their own reports indicated approximately 200 fatalities and around 500 injuries, including civilians and migrants.
Civilian casualties reportedly arose from U.S. strikes targeting Houthi positions, which included an airstrike that ravaged oil storage facilities in Al Hudaydah.
Overall, U.S. military operations against the Houthis have resulted in substantial military losses for the group, alongside a significant escalation in humanitarian crises within the affected regions.
This development contrasts a year of prior military activities during the Biden administration, which were less concentrated and aimed at managing regional stability.
Observers continue to assess the evolving dynamics of U.S. military engagements alongside ongoing Houthi operations and the broader geopolitical implications of the ceasefire.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated the Kingdom's support for all efforts aimed at achieving a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis, which would ensure the security and stability of Yemen and the surrounding region.
This ceasefire follows eight weeks of American airstrikes ordered by former President Donald Trump, which sought to eliminate the threat posed by the Houthis to maritime activities in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
During this period, the Houthi controlled territory experienced over 1,200 air and naval strikes.
The Houthis specifically exempted Israeli vessels from their threat, with Yemen’s Minister of Information, Muammar al-Eryani, stating that the group succumbed to the pressure of what he termed "precision strikes".
He interpreted this compliance as a message to Iran regarding the conclusion of its proxy wars.
In a tweet, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its welcome for the ceasefire, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding international shipping and trade.
Trump had initiated the military campaign against the Houthis on March 15, emphasizing a policy of "deadly force" to compel compliance from the group in relation to its maritime threats and attacks on vessels.
The U.S. operation, dubbed "Iron Horse," was joined by the United Kingdom a week prior, reflecting a symbolic aspect of the close alliance between London and Washington.
On Tuesday, Trump announced the surrender of the Houthis and the cessation of strikes, claiming, "We received very good news last night.
The Houthis have announced they no longer wish to fight, or at least they have told us they do not want to fight anymore." Trump confirmed he would respect this claim and halt military operations, asserting that the Houthis had surrendered and would no longer target ships.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio elucidated that the objective of the U.S. was to stop groups possessing advanced weaponry that posed threats to maritime shipping, indicating that the Houthis had ceased their activities.
Subsequently, Oman announced that its mediation had led to the agreement of a ceasefire, indicating that neither side would target the other, including U.S. vessels in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait, facilitating the continuation of international trade.
Oman expressed hope that this agreement would contribute to further progress on various regional issues, working towards justice, peace, and prosperity for all.
In a notable development shortly after Trump announced the halt to his strikes before his Middle East visit, Houthi leaders disclosed that their agreement with the U.S. excludes any operations against Israel, suggesting ongoing regional tensions linked to the conflict in Gaza.
Mohammed Abdusalame, the chief negotiator for the Houthis, stated, "The agreement does not involve Israel in any form...
what we have is with the Americans through Omani mediation, and the cessation will be about targeting U.S. ships only." He added that ships from Israel might remain vulnerable to attacks.
Furthermore, Houthi political bureau member Abdul Malik al-Ajri emphasized that waterways would remain safe for international shipping, with the exception of Israeli vessels, which could still be targeted.
Should Israel face additional Houthi hostility, it may respond unilaterally, similar to seven previous instances, most recently resulting in the destruction of the Al Hudaydah port, one of the two most significant Yemeni ports, along with direct strikes against infrastructure in Sana’a.
The extensive U.S. air offensive against the Houthis has reportedly resulted in the deaths and injuries of hundreds.
Yemeni observers and U.S. military data note that the strikes have inflicted significant losses on the Houthis, taking a toll on their military leadership and equipment.
Though the Houthis have aimed to downplay the impact of the assaults, their own reports indicated approximately 200 fatalities and around 500 injuries, including civilians and migrants.
Civilian casualties reportedly arose from U.S. strikes targeting Houthi positions, which included an airstrike that ravaged oil storage facilities in Al Hudaydah.
Overall, U.S. military operations against the Houthis have resulted in substantial military losses for the group, alongside a significant escalation in humanitarian crises within the affected regions.
This development contrasts a year of prior military activities during the Biden administration, which were less concentrated and aimed at managing regional stability.
Observers continue to assess the evolving dynamics of U.S. military engagements alongside ongoing Houthi operations and the broader geopolitical implications of the ceasefire.
