In an unexpected turn of events, President Donald Trump announced that he has decided to call off planned airstrikes on Yemen.
This decision followed a communication from the Houthis, the rebel group in Yemen, indicating that they would cease attacking ships in the region.
Trump expressed his belief that the Houthis were no longer interested in fighting.
“They don’t want to fight anymore. They just don’t want to fight,” he shared during a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in the Oval Office.
“And we will honor that, and we will stop the bombings.”
He emphasized that the Houthis had “capitulated,” signaling a change in their stance.
A Positive Development
Trump seemed confident in the Houthis’ commitment to halting their attacks on ships in the Red Sea, a key issue that had prompted the airstrike plans.
“They will not be blowing up ships anymore, and that’s what the purpose of what we were doing,” he stated, calling the development “very, very positive.”
According to Trump, the move marks a significant step forward as the situation in the region evolves.
While Trump didn’t provide further specifics, he mentioned that the Houthis had communicated directly with him, asking for the bombings to stop in exchange for their cessation of attacks on American ships.
He described his source of this information as being “very, very good.”
Upcoming Big Announcement
In addition to the Yemen update, Trump teased a major announcement that is expected to be revealed in the coming days.
This announcement, which he hinted would be one of the most significant in years, is anticipated just ahead of his scheduled trip to the Middle East.
“We’re gonna have a very, very big announcement to make, like, as big as it gets,” Trump said, adding that it would be a “really, really positive” piece of news.
Although he didn’t reveal the specifics, he mentioned that it would be shared either Thursday, Friday, or Monday before he departs for Saudi Arabia.
Following Saudi Arabia, his trip will include stops in the UAE and Qatar.
The Context of Rising Tensions
Trump’s decision to suspend airstrikes comes amid heightened tensions in the region.
The Israeli military had recently carried out an airstrike on Yemen’s main airport in Sanaa, marking its second attack in as many days.
This came as the Houthis, who are aligned with Iran, have been involved in retaliatory actions against Israel and maritime targets in the Red Sea since the Israeli offensive against Hamas in Gaza.
The Houthis claim their actions are in solidarity with Palestinians, continuing their attacks as Israel expanded its military operations in Gaza.
This backdrop of ongoing conflict sets the stage for the broader geopolitical context in which Trump’s announcement takes place.
A Controversial Chapter
The move to launch airstrikes on the Houthis had previously sparked controversy, leading to the downfall of Trump’s former National Security Adviser, Mike Waltz.
Waltz inadvertently added a journalist to a secure chat discussing the airstrike plans, which led to leaks about the sensitive discussions.
Although the White House denied that classified information was shared, it was revealed that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had also used the unsecure app to discuss these matters, even with members of his own family.
What’s Next?
As Trump’s plans continue to unfold, the world will be watching closely for further developments.
His upcoming announcement and his ongoing Middle East tour could have far-reaching implications for international relations and regional stability.