SOFREP Evening Brief: Houthis Exclude Israel from Red Sea Ceasefire, Putin Orders Three-Day Ukraine Truce Amid Victory Day Events

Evening! Wrap up your day with SOFREP’s evening brief, covering the essential defense and global affairs stories for Thursday, May 8, 2025. Houthis agreed to a Red Sea ceasefire with the US but will keep attacking Israeli targets. Robert Francis Prevost became Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope. Putin declared a Ukraine ceasefire for Victory Day; Kyiv called it a stunt. North Korea launched ballistic missiles amid closer ties with Russia. Hundreds fled to Thailand after ethnic militias attacked a Myanmar army base. The Philippines condemned a risky Chinese naval move near Scarborough Shoal. Pakistan downed 25 Indian drones after deadly missile strikes escalated tensions.

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Houthis Exclude Israel from Ceasefire, Vow to Continue Attacks on Israeli Ships and Territory

Yemen’s Houthi rebels will continue targeting Israeli ships in the Red Sea, despite a newly announced ceasefire with the United States, a senior Houthi official confirmed Wednesday.

The agreement, brokered by Oman, halts weeks of US airstrikes against the Iran-backed group but explicitly excludes Israel from protection.

“The waterways are safe for all international ships except Israeli ones,” said Abdulmalik Alejri, a member of the Houthi political bureau. “Israel is not part of the agreement—it only includes American and other ships,” he told reporters.

The deal follows months of conflict triggered by the Houthis’ missile and drone attacks on commercial vessels with Israeli, US, and British ties in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The rebel campaign began in November 2023 in response to the Israel-Hamas war and escalated after US-UK military strikes in early 2024.

While the Houthis say they will now restrict attacks to clearly Israeli-linked vessels, they also claimed responsibility for two fresh drone strikes Wednesday: one on southern Israel’s Ramon Airport and another targeting an unspecified site near Tel Aviv using a “Yafa” drone.

The ceasefire was announced after a sharp escalation earlier in the week. On Tuesday, Israeli airstrikes heavily damaged Sanaa’s airport, reportedly destroying terminal buildings and causing $500 million in damage, according to airport officials. The strike was retaliation for a Houthi missile attack that landed near Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport.

Despite ongoing hostilities with Israel, the Houthis have agreed to halt operations against US nd allied ships. President Donald Trump hailed the deal, saying the Houthis had “capitulated,” and confirmed that US strikes would end as a result.

According to Houthi figures, the US campaign, dubbed “Operation Rough Rider,” killed 300 people and struck over 1,000 targets in Yemen since mid-March.

The ceasefire has drawn praise from regional players including Saudi Arabia and Iran, as well as from the United Nations, which urged restraint. However, shipping disruptions remain severe.

Houthi missile and drone activity has drastically reduced traffic through the Red Sea, which normally handles around 12% of global maritime trade.

The Houthis maintain their campaign is a show of solidarity with the Palestinians and say their operations against Israeli assets will continue as long as the Gaza war persists.

Robert Francis Prevost Becomes Pope Leo XIV, First American to Lead Catholic Church

In a historic first, American-born Robert Francis Prevost was elected pope on Thursday, taking the name Leo XIV and becoming the 267th leader of the Roman Catholic Church. He succeeds Pope Francis, who died last month at age 88 after a 12-year papacy.

Prevost’s election followed two days of closed-door voting by 133 cardinals from around the globe — the largest and most international conclave in Church history. White smoke from the Sistine Chapel and ringing bells at 6:00 p.m. (Rome time) signaled the election’s conclusion.

The new pope appeared shortly afterward on the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to deliver his first public words: “Peace be with you.” Tens of thousands gathered in St. Peter’s Square erupted in cheers, waving flags, recording the moment, and shouting “Viva il Papa!” as he gave his “Urbi et Orbi” blessing.

Prevost, a former missionary and Vatican official, now faces the monumental task of uniting a deeply divided Church, confronting the ongoing fallout from sexual abuse scandals, and asserting the Vatican’s moral authority amid global instability and rising nationalism.

His election occurs during heightened geopolitical tension and institutional transformation. Francis, known for his focus on environmental issues and social justice, had appointed roughly 80% of the cardinal electors, shaping the field toward a more global and diverse leadership.

Prevost’s papacy will be closely watched for signs of continuity or change. Key challenges include managing doctrinal divides, reversing declining Church attendance in the West, and navigating the Vatican’s diplomatic role amid global conflicts.

During his first official address, Prevost made no immediate policy declarations but is expected to outline his priorities in a formal inauguration Mass next week. The ceremony will draw global political and religious leaders, with the pope traditionally touring St. Peter’s Square in the popemobile beforehand.

Prevost reportedly secured the required two-thirds majority within five ballots, echoing the relatively swift elections of his predecessors: Benedict XVI in four and Francis in five.

As tradition dictates, he entered the “Room of Tears” — a private moment for newly elected popes — before donning his cassock and returning to the chapel to receive pledges of obedience from fellow cardinals.

Now as Pope Leo XIV, Prevost takes the helm of a Church seeking direction at a crossroads of faith, politics, and modern identity.

Putin Orders Three-Day Ukraine Truce Amid Victory Day Events, Kyiv Dismisses Move as Propaganda

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unilateral order for a three-day ceasefire with Ukraine took effect Thursday, coinciding with Moscow’s Victory Day celebrations.

The Kremlin described the truce as a test of Kyiv’s willingness for peace. Ukraine immediately rejected the move, calling it a political stunt with no legitimacy.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated his call for a 30-day ceasefire, urging Russia to show sincerity.

“We are not withdrawing this proposal… but the world is not seeing any response from Russia,” Zelensky said in his nightly address.

Despite Putin’s directive, both sides launched aerial attacks hours before the truce was to begin. Russian strikes killed at least two civilians in Ukraine, while Ukrainian drones disrupted air traffic across Russia, grounding hundreds of flights in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other cities.

The Kremlin insisted its forces would uphold the ceasefire throughout the May 9 Victory Day festivities but warned they would respond “immediately” if attacked. Russian forces continue to occupy roughly one-fifth of Ukraine and have escalated attacks on civilian areas in recent weeks.

NEW: US officials acknowledged Russia’s continued intransigence toward any ceasefire agreement in Ukraine while reiterating that Ukraine remains committed to US President Donald Trump’s proposed comprehensive 30-day ceasefire. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/QsSogkD5At

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) May 8, 2025

Putin reportedly enacted the truce under US pressure following limited progress in peace efforts by President Donald Trump, who has been pushing for an end to the war since taking office in January. However, a March proposal for an unconditional ceasefire, jointly advanced by Washington and Kyiv, was rejected by Moscow.

US Vice President JD Vance emphasized the need for direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, stating Wednesday, “It’s probably impossible for us to mediate this entirely without at least some direct negotiation between the two.”

Putin’s truce announcement, framed as a “humanitarian gesture,” comes amid heightened security in Moscow for the Victory Day parade. Over 20 world leaders, including China’s Xi Jinping and Brazil’s Lula da Silva, are attending. The Kremlin has taken extraordinary measures, including internet blackouts, to secure the capital and mitigate the threat of drone attacks during the events.

Despite the declared ceasefire, the fighting and mutual distrust on both sides show no signs of abating.

North Korea Fires Ballistic Missiles in Latest Provocation

North Korea launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles into the East Sea on Thursday, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff, marking the regime’s first missile test since March and escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

The missiles, fired from the Wonsan area between 08:10 and 09:20 local time, traveled up to 800 kilometers (497 miles) before landing in the Sea of Japan.

South Korea condemned the launch as a “clear act of provocation” and a “serious threat to peace and stability.” The military added that it is maintaining close surveillance alongside US forces to prevent any miscalculations by Pyongyang.

The launch follows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s recent test of a new destroyer-class warship, the Choe Hyon, unveiled in April. The regime claims the vessel is equipped with “the most powerful weapons” and is set to enter service next year. Analysts believe the destroyer may be capable of launching short-range nuclear missiles and could have been developed with Russian assistance in exchange for North Korean military support to Moscow.

Thursday’s missile launch coincided with Russia’s Victory Day commemorations, seen by some experts as a symbolic gesture aligning North Korea with Russia’s global posture, particularly amid the war in Ukraine. North Korea has reportedly boosted its shell production, and analysts suggest the launch could serve as a test for future weapons exports to Russia.

Japan’s defense ministry reported no impact on its territory. However, Seoul remains on high alert, especially after Pyongyang last year blew up key inter-Korean transit infrastructure and fortified its border.

North Korea, which declared itself an “irreversible” nuclear power, continues to reject denuclearization talks and condemns US-South Korea military drills as invasion rehearsals. In March, the North fired several missiles as Seoul and Washington kicked off their annual Freedom Shield joint exercises.

Hundreds Flee Into Thailand After Ethnic Militias Attack Myanmar Army Base

More than 300 civilians from Myanmar crossed into Thailand seeking refuge after ethnic armed groups launched a coordinated assault on a junta military base near the border, Thai authorities confirmed Thursday.

The attack, led by the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) and its ally, the Karen National Defence Organisation (KNDO), took place Wednesday in Kayin State, approximately 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) from Thailand’s Tak province border.

According to the Thai military, the operation involved a close-range encirclement and the use of armed drones to drop explosives throughout the day.

By Thursday, 327 Myanmar nationals had entered Thailand and were sheltering at two temporary sites, including a Buddhist temple. Thai security forces deployed additional troops to the area to manage the situation and provide humanitarian assistance. Authorities also stepped up border patrols to prevent a breach of Thai sovereignty by foreign armed forces.

Myanmar residents forced to flee their homes for camps in Thailand are facing growing hardship amid cuts to international aid, with more than 108,000 people now struggling to access stable food supplies, civil society organizations said Wednesday.https://t.co/AhCRTkpRIu pic.twitter.com/bbJfsEAfbs

— Radio Free Asia (@RadioFreeAsia) May 7, 2025

The latest cross-border displacement comes just days after Myanmar’s junta and multiple armed factions announced a ceasefire in the wake of the March 28 magnitude-7.7 earthquake that struck near Mandalay, killing nearly 3,800 and displacing tens of thousands. However, the ceasefire has proven fragile, with airstrikes by the junta and renewed attacks by resistance forces repeatedly violating the truce.

Myanmar has remained engulfed in a brutal civil conflict since the 2021 military coup, with junta forces clashing with an expanding alliance of ethnic armed groups and pro-democracy fighters across the country.

Thailand continues to monitor the situation closely, preparing for potential further spillover violence and refugee inflows along its western frontier.

Philippines Condemns “High-Risk” Maneuver by Chinese Warship Near Scarborough Shoal

The Philippines has condemned a “threatening and provocative” maneuver by Chinese warships near the disputed Scarborough Shoal, marking a rare direct confrontation between the two navies during ongoing joint US-Philippine military exercises.

According to the Philippine military, the incident occurred Monday approximately 11.8 nautical miles southeast of Scarborough Shoal, a flashpoint in the South China Sea long contested by both nations.

The Chinese frigate BN 554 was observed tailing the Philippine Navy ship BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS35) at close range, while another frigate, BN 573, crossed PS35’s bow in what was described as a “high-risk maneuver” that posed a danger of collision.

Philippine Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad said the last known incident involving warships from both navies occurred two years ago, during a resupply mission. Alexander Lopez, head of Manila’s National Maritime Council, said one Chinese vessel came within 180 meters, leaving no room for emergency maneuvering, while another closed in to under 100 meters.

Aggressive and Unsafe Maneuvers by Chinese Vessels Near Bajo de Masinloc

On 5 May 2025, the Philippine Navy’s BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS35), while conducting routine and lawful maritime patrol operations in support of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) and the… pic.twitter.com/JDTa8qV1Z5

— Armed Forces of the Philippines (@TeamAFP) May 7, 2025

China denied wrongdoing, accusing the Philippines of “intruding” into Chinese territorial waters. A spokesperson for the Chinese military’s Southern Theater Command, Colonel Tian Junli, claimed Chinese naval and air forces “warned and drove away” the Philippine ship in accordance with Chinese law. He accused Manila of “confusing the public” and attempting to mislead the international community.

The confrontation took place amid the Balikatan (“shoulder-to-shoulder” in Tagalog) military exercises, large-scale US-Philippine war games simulating a full-scale conflict, set to conclude Friday. China has repeatedly criticized the drills as destabilizing.

#Balikatan photos of the day: Service members from the United States, the Philippines, and Australia engage in a counter-landing live-fire exercise to improve our combined coastal defense capabilities that support regional security. #FriendsPartnersAllies pic.twitter.com/sMfIQ8KASm

— U.S. Embassy in the Philippines (@USEmbassyPH) May 4, 2025

Tensions between Manila and Beijing have escalated in recent months over the South China Sea, which China claims almost entirely, despite a 2016 international tribunal ruling rejecting its claim.

In previous confrontations, including at the Second Thomas Shoal, Chinese coast guard personnel have used force to block Philippine resupply missions. In June, a Filipino sailor lost a thumb during a violent encounter involving knives, sticks, and an axe wielded by Chinese forces.

The Philippines maintains that Scarborough Shoal lies well within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), while China insists it falls under its maritime jurisdiction.

Pakistan Downs 25 Indian Drones After Deadliest Border Clash in 20 Years

Pakistan’s military announced Thursday it had shot down 25 Indian drones following the most violent exchange between the nuclear-armed neighbors in two decades.

The escalation came just a day after India launched missile strikes across the border, killing at least 31 Pakistani civilians and prompting Islamabad to vow retaliation.

Military spokesman Maj. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said the drones — Israeli-made Harop loitering munitions — targeted sites across Pakistan on Wednesday night, including near the eastern city of Lahore, where one drone struck a military target and injured four soldiers. Another drone strike in Sindh province killed one civilian and injured another. Explosions echoed across major cities, and crowds gathered at crash sites to view the debris.

Pakistan also claimed it had downed five Indian jets, though Indian officials have not confirmed the losses. A senior Indian security source acknowledged that three Indian fighter jets crashed, but said they went down inside Indian territory.

The spike in hostilities follows India’s air and missile strikes on nine alleged terrorist camps in Pakistan on Wednesday. New Delhi said the strikes were a measured response to the April 22 massacre in Pahalgam, Kashmir, where gunmen killed 26 Indian Hindu tourists.

India blamed the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, a UN-designated terrorist group. Islamabad has denied involvement and called for an international investigation.

The toll from the two days of violence has reached at least 45 dead, including 13 civilians and one Indian soldier on India’s side and 31 civilians in Pakistan. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed revenge, declaring: “We will avenge each drop of the blood of these martyrs.”

One of India’s largest missile strikes targeted an Islamic seminary near Bahawalpur, killing 13 people, according to Pakistani military reports. In Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, residents described homes reduced to rubble.

On the Indian side, Pakistani shelling hit Poonch, killing two children, according to witnesses. Indian media warned of further escalation. “India must be prepared for escalatory action,” wrote The Hindu. The Indian Express cautioned against underestimating Pakistan’s military, calling it “no pushover.”

As tensions continue to rise, global powers have urged restraint. President Donald Trump said Wednesday, “I want to see them stop.”

Watch: On India and Pakistan, US President Donald Trump says, “It’s so terrible. My position is, I get along with both. I know both very well, and I want to see them work it out. I want to see them stop. And hopefully, they can stop now. They’ve gone tit for tat, so hopefully,… pic.twitter.com/3tSebR1Ihc

— IANS (@ians_india) May 7, 2025

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected in New Delhi Thursday in an attempt to mediate, following a recent visit to Islamabad.

Analysts expect a limited Pakistani retaliatory strike in the coming days to “save face” domestically and internationally, likely through missile or artillery exchanges. Strategic observers noted this pattern mirrors past confrontations, with both sides seeking to assert strength without triggering full-scale war.

Sources: News Agencies