{
  "id": 8030246,
  "title": "Houthis 'assured' US they would not attack American ships in Bab Al Mandeb, Yemeni sources say",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/houthis-assured-us-they-would-not-attack-american-ships-in-bab-al",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-17T13:28:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/news/mena/2026/09/17/houthis-assured-us-they-would-not-attack-american-ships-in-bab-al-mandeb-yemeni-sources-say/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Yemen's Houthi rebels have assured US officials that they will not attack American ships in the Bab Al Mandeb strait, according to sources in Sanaa. These communications have been indirect, primarily through Oman, where the rebels have had a presence since the beginning of the Yemeni conflict over a decade ago. The Houthis have pledged to commit to truce terms despite earlier threats, and sources confirm they remain committed to the agreement. The Houthis have also stated they will not target Israeli ships or other commercial vessels, except those belonging to Saudi Arabia. Iran is reportedly using the Yemeni conflict as a pressure point in its war with the US, seeking to influence regional developments and advance its own interests.",
  "summary": "Yemen's Houthi rebels have been communicating with US officials to assure Washington that their takeover of the Red Sea coast overlooking the Bab Al Mandeb strait will not lead to attacks on American ships, sources in Sanaa told The National on Thursday. The news comes days after US Vice President JD Vance said that Washington has been engaged in “direct conversations” with the Houthis and is “on…",
  "key_points": [
    "Houthis assured US they won't attack American ships in Bab Al Mandeb.",
    "Communications primarily through Oman, where rebels have presence since conflict began.",
    "Houthis committed to truce despite earlier threats and will not target Israeli ships."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "Yemeni forces repel Houthi attack on Al-Anin front west of Taiz",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/yemeni-forces-repel-houthi-attack-on-al-anin-front-west-of-taiz",
        "published": "2026-09-17T11:45:35.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al-Monitor",
        "title": "Exclusive-China presses Iran to help rein in Houthis after Saudi appeal, sources say",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/exclusive-china-presses-iran-to-help-rein-in-houthis-after-saudi",
        "published": "2026-09-17T12:46:29.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "Houthis 'assured' US they would not attack American ships in Bab Al Mandeb, Yemeni sources say",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/houthis-assured-us-they-would-not-attack-american-ships-in-bab-al-8035753",
        "published": "2026-09-17T13:28:12.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Middle East Eye",
        "title": "Yemeni government says Houthis suffering heavy blows",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/yemeni-government-says-houthis-suffering-heavy-blows",
        "published": "2026-09-17T15:57:09.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}