Sana'a: The Houthi movement in Yemen has confirmed that its newly brokered ceasefire agreement with the United States does not include any suspension of its operations against Israel. Chief negotiator Mohammed Abdulsalam clarified on Wednesday that the agreement, mediated by Oman, focuses solely on US-Houthi hostilities and excludes any provisions related to Israeli targets.
This clarification came shortly after an Israeli airstrike hit Sanaa International Airport, reportedly causing approximately $500 million in damage. The airport’s director, Khaled al-Shaief, condemned the attack, calling it an act of aggression.
The truce was officially announced a day earlier by US President Donald Trump, who declared an immediate halt to US military operations in Yemen in exchange for the Houthis ceasing their Red Sea attacks on commercial shipping. Trump described the Houthis as having “capitulated,” noting that they no longer wished to engage in conflict.
In a parallel statement, Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi stated that the negotiations had successfully yielded an agreement aimed at reducing tensions and guaranteeing safe passage for international maritime trade through the Red Sea.
The Houthis have been targeting Red Sea vessels since late 2023 in solidarity with Palestinians under Israeli bombardment in Gaza. These operations had briefly stopped during a short ceasefire in Gaza but resumed when Israel escalated its military campaign and imposed a full blockade in March 2024.
Although the Red Sea attacks have now paused under the US-Houthi deal, the Houthis insist that their campaign against Israel will continue. Houthi political chief Mahdi al-Mashat pledged that strikes against Israel will intensify, stating they will go “beyond what the Israeli enemy can withstand.”
This resolve was demonstrated on Sunday when a ballistic missile fired by the Houthis struck near Israel’s Ben Gurion International Airport, injuring eight people and temporarily halting air traffic. The Israeli military admitted its defense systems failed to intercept the missile and said an investigation was ongoing.
Abdulsalam warned that any future US military actions would provoke a response, emphasizing that Washington's previous failures in Yemen serve as the true deterrent behind the truce.
