ALBAWABA- Yemen’s Houthi movement announced Tuesday that it is ending its ceasefire with the United States and will resume attacks on American vessels in the Red Sea, Reuters reported.
According to Reuters, the Houthis announced they will begin targeting vessels owned by major U.S. oil companies.
The decision immediately nullifies a fragile truce brokered by Oman on May 6, which had paused Houthi strikes on U.S. ships in exchange for a halt to U.S.-UK airstrikes on Yemen.
The Houthis accused Washington of failing to pressure Israel into a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, calling the collapse of the deal the start of a “new phase of resistance.”
The group’s statement comes amid broader regional volatility, including Russia’s drone assaults on Ukraine and ongoing Gaza ceasefire talks.
The May agreement allowed Houthis to continue targeting Israeli-linked shipping while suspending attacks on U.S. naval and commercial vessels.
In return, Washington and London froze joint strikes that had hammered Houthi infrastructure since late 2023. Though monitored by Oman with Iranian backing, the deal was marred by repeated accusations from the Houthis that the U.S. was reneging on its commitments.
The breakdown follows a weekend attack on a Dutch-flagged cargo ship in the Gulf of Aden, which analysts see as a signal of the Houthis’ intent to expand their operational reach.
The U.S. State Department voiced “deep concern,” warning of “swift and decisive” repercussions. Pentagon officials confirmed increased naval patrols in the Red Sea, where shipping costs have already surged by 200% since 2023 due to repeated Houthi disruptions.
