US Pressures Oman to Expel Houthi Leaders Amid Plans for Terror Designations

Media sources have revealed that the United States has urged Oman to expel leaders of the Houthi movement residing in its territory, including the negotiation delegation headed by Mohammed Abdulsalam. This development marks an intensification of international pressure on the Houthis and a potential shift in Washington’s approach to dealing with the group.

According to Faris Al-Humairi, a correspondent for China’s Xinhua News Agency, the US administration has officially requested Oman to deport the entire Houthi delegation led by Mohammed Abdulsalam, along with all other Houthi leaders currently in the Sultanate. Al-Humairi shared this information through a series of posts on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

Estimates suggest that around 100 Houthi figures are currently based in Oman, including senior leaders. Oman has previously served as a neutral ground, offering a safe haven to facilitate negotiations and peace talks. However, the latest US request indicates a hardening of the international stance toward the Houthis and their leadership.

Reports also indicate that the US is preparing to issue new decisions in the coming period, which would include designating Mohammed Abdulsalam and other key Houthi leaders as terrorists. Such measures are expected to impose severe restrictions on their international mobility and financial assets, further isolating the group politically and diplomatically.