US-Houthi reach ceasefire mediated by Oman

The United States and Yemen's armed group Houthi have agreed on a ceasefire mediated by Oman.

The Oman government announced the ceasefire yesterday (6 May), saying that the ceasefire will ensure free movement of goods-carrying ships through the Red Sea, Arab News reported.

In a statement posted on social media, Foreign Minister of Oman Badr Albusaidi said, "Following recent discussions and contacts... with the aim of de-escalation, efforts have resulted in a ceasefire agreement between the two sides."

"Neither side will target the other, ensuring freedom of navigation and the smooth flow of international commercial shipping," the foreign minister added.

Earlier yesterday, President Donald Trump said the US will stop bombing the Houthis in Yemen after the Iran-aligned group agreed to stop interrupting important shipping lanes in the Middle East.

In an Oval Office meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Trump announced the Houthis have said that they no longer want to fight but did not elaborate on the message.

"They said please don't bomb us anymore and we're not going to attack your ships," Trump said.

The Houthis have been firing at Israel and at shipping in the Red Sea since Israel began its military offensive against Hamas in Gaza after the Palestinian militant group's deadly attack on Israel on 7 October 2023.

The US president said Washington will take the Houthis' word that they would not be blowing up ships any longer.

Tensions have been high since the Gaza war began, but have risen further since a Houthi missile landed near Israel's Ben Gurion Airport on Sunday, prompting Israeli airstrikes on Yemen's Hodeidah port on Monday.

The Israeli military carried out an airstrike on Yemen's main airport in Sanaa on Tuesday, its second attack in two days on the Houthis after a surge in tensions between the group and Israel.