Oman announces US-Houthi ceasefire deal

Oman’s Foreign Ministry announced a ceasefire between the United States and the Yemen’s Houthis.

“Following recent discussions and contacts conducted by the Sultanate of Oman with the United States and the relevant authorities in Sana'a, in the Republic of Yemen, with the aim of de-escalation, efforts have resulted in a ceasefire agreement between the two sides,” the statement by Oman said.

“In the future, 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 commercial shipping,” it added.

Read more: 'Israel' bombs 10 sites across Yemen, including Sanaa airport

Earlier, President Donald Trump abruptly announced that the United States would end its attacks against Yemen's Houthis on Tuesday, saying the group had agreed to stop attacking ships in the Red Sea.

In surprise comments at the White House, Trump said the Iran-backed group had "capitulated" after the near-daily, seven-week US bombing campaign that left 300 dead, according to an AFP tally of Houthi figures.

There was no official comment from the Houthis, who have been firing missiles and drones at ships on the vital trade artery, saying they are acting in solidarity with the Palestinians.

"The Huthis have announced... that they don't want to fight anymore. They just don't want to fight," Trump said during a White House press appearance with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

"And we will honor that, and we will stop the bombings, and they have capitulated," he added.

"They say they will not be blowing up ships anymore, and that's... the purpose of what we were doing," the US president said, adding that the information came from a "very, very good source."