HEADQUARTERS
7th Comm. Bn. (-) Rein.FPO PacFlt Support
FMF SF 9002x
May 2025
Fm. Charlie.Two SU Alpha.
To. CMG, FMF
Subj. Yemen Standdown--Op Rough Rider--
Ref: DivO 5750.2B
(a) MCO 5750.4
(b) FMF Pac 5750.8
(c) DivO 57550.2B
Encl: (1) In accordance with the above provisions of references (a), (b), and (c), enclosure (1) is submitted herewith.
1. The chief U.S. negotiator involved in the May 6, 2025, halt of bombing in Yemen was Steve Witkoff, who led talks with the Houthis through Omani mediation.
a. President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. would immediately stop bombing the Iran-backed Houthi rebels after they agreed to halt attacks on Red Sea shipping, signaling a significant shift in U.S. military policy.
b. Witkoff's negotiations helped broker this cessation of strikes, which Trump described as the Houthis "capitulating" and not wanting to fight anymore.
2. The Sultanate of Oman played a key mediating role in the ceasefire agreement announced on May 6, 2025, between the United States and Yemen's Houthi authorities.
2. The Sultanate of Oman played a key mediating role in the ceasefire agreement announced on May 6, 2025, between the United States and Yemen's Houthi authorities.
a. Oman conducted discussions and contacts with both parties, resulting in a truce where neither side will target the other, including American vessels, in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, ensuring freedom of navigation and the smooth flow of international shipping.
b. Oman expressed gratitude to both sides for their constructive cooperation and hopes the ceasefire will lead to broader progress toward peace and stability in the region.
3. The Houthi delegation has agreed to halt attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, prompting the U.S. to announce an immediate stop to its bombing campaign against them in Yemen.
3. The Houthi delegation has agreed to halt attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, prompting the U.S. to announce an immediate stop to its bombing campaign against them in Yemen.
a. This agreement came after a nearly two-month-long U.S. airstrike campaign targeting Houthi positions, which had been launched to stop their attacks on shipping lanes.
b. President Donald Trump stated that the Houthis communicated their desire to cease fighting and attacks on ships, and the U.S. will honor this by ending its strikes effective immediately.
PART II. NARRATIVE SUMMARY
1. On May 6, 2025, Oman brokered a ceasefire agreement between Yemen's Houthi rebels and the United States, marking a significant de-escalation in the conflict. a. According to Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi, the deal stipulates
(1) that neither side will target the other, including American vessels, in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait,
(2) ensuring freedom of navigation and uninterrupted international commercial shipping.
b. This agreement follows heightened tensions after the US resumed airstrikes on Houthi targets in March 2025, aiming to prevent attacks on Israel and US warships.
c. The ceasefire was welcomed by Oman as a constructive step towards broader regional peace and stability.
d. US President Donald Trump confirmed the truce, announcing an immediate halt to US bombing of the Houthis, who pledged to cease attacks on US ships.
(1) Some Houthi leaders have contested parts of the agreement, particularly regarding attacks on Israeli vessels, which they said would continue until Gaza-related hostilities end.
PART III. TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS
1. The cessation of the US bombing campaign against Yemen's Houthis, announced on May 6, 2025, follows the Houthis' pledge to stop attacks on American vessels in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait.
a. This agreement, mediated by Oman, aims to ensure freedom of navigation and smooth commercial shipping in the region.
2. Regarding the pullback of American warships and carriers, the situation is nuanced.
a. Prior to the ceasefire, the US had deployed two carrier strike groups in the Middle East to counter Houthi threats and protect shipping lanes, with extended deployments of the USS Harry S. Truman and USS Carl Vinson.
(1) The Pentagon had emphasized continuing strikes until the Houthis ceased attacks on US ships, indicating that naval presence was tied directly to the threat level.
(2) With the Houthis agreeing to stop attacks and the US halting bombings, it is likely this will reduce the immediate need for a heavy naval presence. However, no official statement confirms an immediate drawdown of carriers or warships.
(3) The US Navy’s high operational tempo and strategic considerations, including readiness and regional deterrence, may delay rapid redeployment.
In summary, the bombing halt and ceasefire agreement could lead to a future pullback of US naval forces from the region.
(4) As of May 6, 2025, the US has not yet announced a withdrawal of carriers or warships, pending verification of the ceasefire's durability and ongoing strategic assessments.
PART IV. CIVIL AFFAIRS
1. Media skepticism over the U.S. bombing halt in Yemen on May 6, 2025, centers on doubts about the Houthis' commitment to cease hostilities and concerns about civilian casualties during the campaign.
2. President Trump announced an immediate stop to bombing after the Houthis reportedly requested it and pledged to stop attacking ships in the Red Sea, a move brokered with Oman's mediation.
a. However, critics highlight that the U.S. campaign, which began in March, has caused significant civilian deaths, including strikes on detention centers and fuel terminals, raising humanitarian concerns and accusations that the U.S. loosened rules to minimize civilian harm.
b. Some media and analysts question the reliability of intelligence used for targeting, noting the Pentagon may have relied on anonymous social media accounts for strike coordinates, potentially contributing to civilian casualties.
3. The abruptness of the halt and Trump's acceptance of the Houthis' word without apparent verification also fuel skepticism about the durability and sincerity of the ceasefire.
a. Meanwhile, the ongoing regional tensions, including Israeli strikes on Yemen following Houthi missile attacks, complicate the conflict dynamics and media narratives.
4. In summary, while the U.S. bombing halt was publicly framed as a diplomatic success, media skepticism arises from doubts about the Houthis' intentions, the humanitarian impact of the air campaign, and the quality of intelligence guiding strikes.
5. Social media skepticism about the U.S. bombing halt against Yemen's Houthis on May 6, 2025, centers on doubts about the ceasefire's sincerity and concerns over civilian casualties.
a. The U.S. announced stopping airstrikes after Houthis promised to cease attacks on shipping lanes, with Oman brokering the ceasefire.
(1) However, many on social media question the reliability of this promise, given ongoing Houthi missile attacks on Israel and continued Israeli strikes in Yemen.
(2) There are also allegations that U.S. targeting relied on unverified social media intelligence, raising fears of mistaken strikes harming civilians.
(3) This has fueled skepticism over whether the halt will lead to lasting peace or merely a pause in violence.
PART V. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
1. Media
Al Jazeera report on Israeli airstrikes on Yemen's Hodeidah port following Houthi missile attacks near Tel Aviv airport in early May 2025, marking a new phase in regional military responses.
PBS NewsHour coverage of a Houthi missile strike that halted flights at Israel's Ben-Gurion International Airport on 4 May 2025, highlighting the escalation linked to the Gaza war.
ACLED data update on Yemen's situation in April 2024, noting a lull in Houthi attacks after US overtures to halt hostilities, which may provide context for ceasefire efforts.
Sana'a Center analysis from March 2025 discussing renewed US bombing and shifts in the Yemen conflict, relevant to understanding the broader military dynamics.
2. Synthetic intelligence: Perplexity AI
3. Current news, media platforms, outlets, social media venues.
4. Image: https://www.dreamstime.com/stunning-aerial-view-red-desert-landscape-being-engulfed-massive-sandstorm-caravan-camels-making-their-way-image276701897
5. Report: JC-Lima, NCTC/R. (204xxxx-2533), FB Tango.
JTF-SB 2025
3/LRC/cr1/5750
CMCC NR _____3______
Ser. No. 040-25
COPY _1__ OF __10__COPIES
May 2025
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