Anti-Houthi Coalition Prepares Ground Offensive in Eastern and Southern Yemen

The U.S. operation against Iranian-backed Houthi forces in Yemen has already cost nearly $1 billion in less than three weeks, but its effectiveness remains limited, raising concerns about the need for a ground operation.

According to CNN, Washington maintains that the air campaign is showing results. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz confirmed that several Houthi leaders had been eliminated. However, each new airstrike appears to only strengthen the resistance.

According to analysts, up to 80 Houthi military officers may have been killed in the strikes, but the leadership of their military and political factions, as well as some missile systems, remain intact.

Meanwhile, the Houthis have declared their intention to expand their list of targets to include the United Arab Emirates, which supports the government opposing them in Yemen’s civil war. In response, Saudi Arabia has raised its air defense forces to a state of heightened readiness.

Undoubtedly, the U.S. campaign has significantly weakened the combat capabilities of the Houthis. Michael Knights, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute, noted that the group had lost a considerable portion of its drone production capacity and was facing growing challenges in transporting equipment by sea and through Oman.

Nevertheless, their ability to resist remains strong, thanks to an intricate smuggling network that continues to supply missile parts and other military equipment.

According to analysts and diplomatic sources, only a ground operation can change the situation on the battlefield. The Houthis control Sanaa, the key port of Hodeidah, and most of the northern part of the country.

However, analysts do not expect the full deployment of U.S. ground troops — the involvement of limited Special Forces for coordinating strikes is more likely. The U.S. is expected to provide logistical support and ammunition.

The UAE is expected to “silently support” the operation, as they have been assisting government forces in Aden for a long time.

Saudi Arabia’s position is less defined. Riyadh fears retaliatory strikes, as the Houthis could target oil infrastructure with drones and missiles. At the same time, the U.S. has expedited the delivery of air defense systems to the Kingdom.

Diplomatic sources report that preparations are currently underway to coordinate a ground offensive from the south, east, and along the coastline. The operation is expected to involve the navies of the U.S. and Saudi Arabia to regain control of the port of Hodeidah.

Loss of Iranian Support

It was recently reported that Iran had instructed its military to withdraw from Yemen in response to ongoing U.S. strikes on the Houthi group.

A senior Iranian official explained that the decision was intended to avoid direct confrontation with the U.S. in the event of Iranian military casualties.

Tehran believes that the Houthis may lose their influence in the near future, perhaps within months or even days, making continued support no longer viable.

As explained by a source to The Telegraph, the Houthis were part of a larger network that relied on Hassan Nasrallah, the former leader of Hezbollah, and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

However, if this structure is no longer functioning, there is no point in maintaining just one element of it.