US President Donald Trump has announced that American forces will cease military strikes against Houthi militants in Yemen, claiming the Iran-backed group has "capitulated" and agreed to stop attacking shipping lanes in the Red Sea.

Speaking at the White House alongside Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Trump said, “The Houthis don’t want to fight anymore. We’ll honour that and stop the bombings.” He added the group had assured the US it would no longer target commercial vessels, a key condition for halting American air strikes.

Oman, which has long played a mediating role in regional conflicts, confirmed a ceasefire deal had been reached. Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi stated the agreement ensured that “neither side will target the other,” and would guarantee “freedom of navigation and smooth flow of international trade” through the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait.

The Houthis have not yet publicly commented on the reported ceasefire.

The announcement comes after months of escalating violence. Since March, the US has conducted over 1,000 airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen in response to repeated drone and missile attacks on international shipping. The Houthis claim their campaign is in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza amid ongoing Israeli military operations.

Their attacks have severely disrupted maritime traffic through the Red Sea—one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes—forcing many vessels to divert around southern Africa.

Despite the reported ceasefire, tensions remain high. Over the weekend, a Houthi missile landed near Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport. In response, Israel launched a series of strikes on Yemen, reportedly destroying Sanaa International Airport and targeting power infrastructure and port facilities in Hudaydah.

International observers have urged restraint to prevent further escalation in an already volatile region.

SMS/