Over recent weeks, several reports have indicated that the internationally recognized government of Yemen, which has been pushed out of the capital by the Houthi terror group, is preparing a major new ground offensive amid ongoing U.S. airstrikes.
Houthi media reported 14 strikes on military targets in Sana’a on Thursday, which they said was responsible for killing one person. The U.S. military has been pounding Houthi targets every day since March 15.
According to Bloomberg, Yemeni forces are in discussions with the U.S. and their Arab allies, primarily Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, in preparation for a significant ground offensive against Houthi-held areas from multiple fronts.
A Saudi-led coalition has been fighting the Iran-backed Houthis since about 2014, but direct confrontations largely ended with a ceasefire in 2022.
Emirati news outlet The National recently reported that Yemen is mobilizing around 80,000 troops for an offensive aimed at retaking the port of Hodeidah as a first step in a broader operation, with the ultimate goal of seizing control of the capital, Sana’a.
The reports suggest that the U.S. would not be involved with ground troops in a possible offensive. However, U.S. Central Command Chief Gen. Michael Kurilla visited the Saudi capital of Riyadh this month to meet with the chiefs of staff of the Saudi and Yemeni armed forces.
The generals discussed “ongoing efforts against the Iran-backed Houthis,” the Pentagon said. The talks reportedly focused on coordinating the U.S. airstrikes with Yemeni ground advances to maximize damage on the Houthis.
Informed sources cited by Bloomberg said a possible scenario would see a broadening of airstrikes while ground troops conducted a multi-front assault aiming to capture Hodeidah.
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