Houthi Ceasefire Trump Yemen Attack
AxiosMAY 11
Trump Halts Yemen Strikes After Claimed Houthi Ceasefire Deal
Above: Smoke rises from the targeted areas following Israeli airstrikes on several locations, on May 6, 2025, in Sanaa, Yemen. Image copyright: Mohammed Hamoud/Contributor/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The truce with the Houthis, crushing their brazen aggression, is a triumph for global trade and security. This victory, restoring safe passage through vital sea lanes, owes everything to the U.S. bombing campaign’s unrelenting force. Over 800 Houthi targets were obliterated, dismantling their terror network and compelling their surrender. Thanks to America’s resolute might, the Red Sea is secure, and the Houthis are subdued.
Establishment-critical narrative
While this truce is certainly a breakthrough, it's a hollow gesture overshadowed by Israel's ruthless airstrikes on Yemen's Sanaa airport and Hodeidah port. These attacks, slaughtering civilians and crippling vital infrastructure, expose the U.S.-enabled aggression driving endless war. Far from taming the Houthis, these bombings fueled their resolve, entrenching a cycle of violence. Lasting peace will only come if Israel and the U.S. finally stop instigating it.