A senior Houthi official has warned other countries against intervening in Yemen's civil war while confirming indirect communication with the U.S. regarding Red Sea navigation.
Key facts
- •Mohamed al-Bukhaiti warned that the Houthis are capable of waging an international conflict if other nations join Saudi Arabia in the war.
- •The Houthis maintain that their attacks on Saudi Arabia will continue until Riyadh ends its blockade on rebel-held areas in Yemen.
- •Oman served as a mediator for indirect communications between the U.S. and the Houthi rebels.
- •A 2025 ceasefire agreement previously ended a U.S. bombing campaign against the rebels in exchange for safe passage for U.S. vessels.
- •President Trump confirmed that his administration has held discussions with the Houthis regarding the conflict.
Mohamed al-Bukhaiti, a member of the Houthi political bureau, stated on Sunday that his group is prepared to expand its military operations if other nations join Saudi Arabia in the ongoing conflict in Yemen. The warning follows recent Houthi advances toward the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Al-Bukhaiti also confirmed that the group has maintained indirect contact with the U.S. government through Omani mediators to discuss the security of maritime traffic in the Red Sea.
Houthi Stance on International Navigation
Al-Bukhaiti stated that the Houthis have assured the U.S. administration that they do not intend to target American vessels in the Red Sea. He emphasized that the group’s military operations are aimed at ensuring freedom of navigation rather than closing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. According to al-Bukhaiti, the group's primary focus remains the conflict with Saudi Arabia, which he blamed for the latest escalation of violence following an airstrike attributed to the Saudi-led coalition.
Diplomatic Channels and Ceasefire Status
The Houthi official confirmed that indirect talks with the U.S. have been facilitated by Oman, which previously brokered a 2025 ceasefire between the two parties. This agreement ended a U.S. bombing campaign against the rebels in exchange for a halt to attacks on U.S. ships. President Donald Trump recently noted that his administration has held discussions with the Houthis, stating that the group expressed a desire to avoid conflict with the U.S.
Timeline
- 2025Oman brokered a ceasefire between the Houthis and the Trump administration.
- Earlier this monthHouthi forces advanced down Yemen's western coast to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
- Last weekendOman hosted a meeting between U.S. and Houthi representatives.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Haaretz, The New Arab.
