The US reportedly ceased military operations in Yemen after being faced with an advanced air defence strategy from the Houthi rebel group, which included near-strikes on US fighter jets such as the F-16 and F-35.
According to a report by The New York Times this week, the Houthis successfully shot down at least seven US MQ-9 Reaper drones- each worth around $30 million- and came close to hitting an American F-16 and a highly advanced F-35 fighter jet.
The New York Times stated that these near-misses raised serious concerns within US Central Command, reportedly prompting a strategic reassessment of US involvement in the region due to fears of escalating American casualties and the potential loss of high-value assets.
On 6 May, the United States ended its bombing campaign, Operation Rough Rider- which began in mid-March- following a ceasefire brokered through Omani mediation between the Yemeni rebel group and American forces.
The Houthis agreed to halt all maritime attacks on US targets in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait, and the Gulf of Aden, after beginning missile aerial strikes on commercial vessels in November 2023, saying they were targeting ships linked to Israel in solidarity with Palestinians amid the war in Gaza.
According to The New York Times, two F/A-18 Super Hornets, each valued at $67 million, accidentally fell off the US Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier, which had been tasked with conducting strikes against the Houthis.
This significant loss played a key role in accelerating efforts to de-escalate tensions.
This occurred as US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff- already involved in negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme- engaged in indirect talks with the Houthis through Omani mediators.
The sudden ceasefire announcement saw both sides declare victory, each shaping its own narrative to portray itself as having come out on top.
The White House claimed the US bombing campaign had successfully pressured the Houthis into backing down, while the Houthis argued that Washington had failed to meet its objectives and was forced into the agreement to extract itself from a strategic impasse.
The New York Times report suggested this abrupt truce was due in part to the underestimation of the Houthis by some members of the President’s national security team, describing them as a group "known for its resilience."
The report also said that General Michael Kurilla, head of US Central Command (CENTCOM), had pushed for a more forceful military campaign- a position initially supported by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz- according to sources said to be familiar with the internal discussions.
The US campaign cost over $1 billion in its first 30 days, with two aircraft carriers, B-2 bombers, fighter jets, and advanced air defence systems deployed and resources diverted from other parts of the world, such as East Asia..
The heavy use of precision munitions- particularly long-range ones- was reported to have raised concerns within the Pentagon about depleted stockpiles, while the Houthi group allegedly continued attacking vessels, reinforcing bunkers, and relocating weapons underground.
According to The New York Times, unnamed sources- described as current and former officials familiar with discussions within Trump’s national security team- claimed that Trump himself was ready to end the hostilities by 5 May.
Meanwhile, Reuters also reported that after seven weeks of relentless US airstrikes, the Yemeni armed group was seeking a way out.
According to US officials cited by the agency, Houthi leaders began reaching out to American allies in the Middle East around the first weekend of May.
One unnamed source familiar with internal discussions told Reuters that intelligence had begun receiving indications that "the Houthis had had enough."
In comments to Reuters, Houthi chief negotiator and spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam stated that the group communicated solely through Omani intermediaries and agreed to the ceasefire because their actions had been defensive in nature.
He explained that the Houthis halted their operations in response to the US ceasing its attacks, but did not provide further details.
The Trump administration has yet to respond publicly to the claims.