President Trump announced on Tuesday that the U.S. would end its bombing campaign against the Houthi rebels in Yemen. The announcement came during a joint press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
“They don’t want to fight anymore,” said President Trump. “They don’t want to fight and we will honor that.”
The U.S. Central Command began the bombing of the Houthi terrorist organization in March. The campaign began after the Houthis interfered with international shipping in the Red Sea. The Houthi actions were in response to the war between Israel and Hamas, which started in 2023.
According to U.S. Central Command, the military action against the Houthis was intended to restore freedom of navigation and has been carried out using detailed intelligence aimed at minimizing risk to civilians. U.S. Central Command intended to “continue to ratchet up the pressure until the objective is met, which remains the restoration of freedom of navigation and American deterrence in the region.”
The bombings have struck over 800 targets, according to U.S. Central Command, including sites for the manufacture and storage of advanced weaponry, which had been used against international vessels in Houthi attacks on shipping. Since the commencement of the bombing campaign by the U.S., the intensity of the Houthi attacks on shipping through both ballistic missiles and drones has dropped significantly.
President Trump’s comments on Tuesday indicate that the objective set by the U.S. Central Command has been achieved.
“We will stop the bombings and they have capitulated,” Trump said. “But more importantly, we will take their word. They say they will not be blowing up ships anymore.” Trump added that the end to the bombing campaign would be effective immediately.
State Department officials reiterated the comments made by President Trump, emphasizing the goal of maintaining freedom of navigation.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the goal was to stop the Houthi bombing of ships. “If that’s going to stop, we will stop,” Rubio said.
