Trump Announces Houthi Bombing Halt Amidst Warnings of Resurgence

President Donald Trump has unexpectedly declared a cessation of U.S. bombing campaigns targeting the Houthi rebels in Yemen, a move that has sparked both cautious optimism and significant concern among experts. The announcement, delivered from the Oval Office, followed weeks of intense strikes against the Iran-backed group, which has been a persistent threat to maritime security in the Red Sea.

Trump’s statement attributed the decision to a perceived lack of Houthi desire to continue fighting. "The Houthis just don’t want to fight…and we will honor that. We will stop the bombings," he stated. When pressed for the source of this information, the President offered only that it came from a "very good source," prompting skepticism about the veracity of the claim.

Shortly after Trump’s announcement, Oman’s Foreign Minister, Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, publicly confirmed a ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and the Houthis. Al Busaidi stated on social media that the agreement, facilitated by Omani mediation, would ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait by preventing attacks on each other, including American vessels. Oman has played a role in the U.S.-Iran nuclear talks.

Despite the apparent breakthrough, a new report by Ari Heistein for the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), titled "The Houthi Challenge: Forging a Strategy to Defeat the Iran-Backed Terror Group in Yemen," cautions against complacency. The report emphasizes the need for continued vigilance and a comprehensive strategy to counter the multifaceted threat posed by the Houthis and their international backers.

The report highlights that Iran has been a significant supporter of the Houthis since at least 2014. Iran provided the group with training and advanced weaponry, including ballistic missiles. However, the report alleges Oman has also played a role in supporting the Houthis by allowing them to operate from its territory and serving as a conduit for Iranian arms smuggling.

Jonathan Schanzer, executive director of the FDD and a former terrorism finance analyst at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, criticized Oman’s involvement in negotiations between Washington and Middle Eastern adversaries. Schanzer described Oman’s role as "outrageous," questioning the logic of considering them as responsible intermediaries while they allegedly host the very group the U.S. seeks to dismantle.

The FDD report reveals that Iranian arms are smuggled into Yemen through the port of Hodeidah, which has been targeted by recent Israeli strikes, and also through smaller ports or overland routes through Oman. Omani private banking institutions and businesses are allegedly involved in servicing the Houthi economy and even supplying the group with arms.

Heistein’s report calls for increased international pressure on Oman to address the unchecked flow of funds and arms to the Houthis. The report suggests that more stringent measures are needed to prevent bulk cash smuggling across the border between Oman and Yemen.

The report argues that military action alone is insufficient to defeat the Houthis. The report also recommends economic, diplomatic, and other soft power strategies to weaken the group. The report advocates for continued military action, similar to the recent Israeli strikes on Hodeidah port and Sana’a International Airport, which are expected to exert economic pressure on the Houthis.

The report emphasizes the Houthis’ past exploitation of lulls in fighting to regroup and rebuild their capabilities. The report argues that a Red Sea ceasefire should be part of a broader, long-term strategy.

Heistein warns that if a Red Sea ceasefire becomes the endpoint of U.S. policy toward the Houthis, it risks empowering an increasingly dangerous regime to escalate and de-escalate at will. Heistein believes that without a comprehensive approach to addressing the Houthi threat, the U.S. and its allies could soon face a more dangerous, better-armed terrorist group.