Reactions to U.S. President Donald Trump's Decision to Halt Military Attacks on the Houthis
May 7, 2025, 12:10 pm

Reactions to U.S. President Donald Trump's Decision to Halt Military Attacks on the Houthis

ترامب يؤكد أنه ضحية "حملة اضطهاد" بعد اتهامه من قبل القضاء الأمريكي

The decision by U.S. President Donald Trump to suspend military strikes against the Houthis elicited mixed responses. Israel expressed its dissatisfaction with the lack of prior coordination with Tel Aviv regarding this move. Israeli media indicated that the absence of coordination with Israel constitutes a "disregard" of its interests, increasing tensions in the region.

In his announcement, Trump stated that the Houthis "surrendered" and requested the United States to cease bombings against them, clarifying that American airstrikes would stop immediately. He said: "We received good news; the Houthis announced they do not want to fight, and we will respond accordingly. We will stop the bombing. They surrendered, and we will trust their promise not to target ships. That has been our goal from the beginning, and I think this announcement is positive."

On the field, Oman announced on Tuesday that Washington and the Houthi rebels in Yemen reached a ceasefire agreement, including a halt to targeting U.S. ships in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait, following weeks of military escalation.

This escalation in Yemen, after an attack on October 7, has transformed the Yemeni front from a minor issue into one of the most intense conflict zones in the Middle East, due to ongoing exchanges of strikes between the Houthis and Israel, amidst continued regional expansion.

Meanwhile, indications of de-escalation emerged from Washington after the announcement that Oman successfully mediated a ceasefire agreement between the Houthis and the United States. However, some Houthi officials confirmed that the decision to halt U.S. attacks will undergo ongoing evaluation.

At the same time, Israel expressed concern over not being informed in advance of the American move, amid continued Israeli military escalation. Israel responded to the Houthis’ ongoing targeting of Israeli interests, especially after a ballistic missile struck Ben Gurion Airport, prompting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to vow a decisive response. Israeli forces carried out strikes on the Hodeidah port and a cement factory in Yemen.

Reciprocal military responses continued, with Israeli officials indicating that military operations would not be limited to a single strike. The escalation remains a feature of the regional scene, with expectations of further developments in the area.

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