USS combatants Carl Vinson, an aircraft carrier from the US Navy operating against the Houthi forces supported by Iran in Yemen. Photo: screenshot of a video on Centcom X account.
In recent weeks, several reports have indicated that the internationally recognized government of Yemen, which has been pushed out of the capital by the Houthi terrorist group, prepares a Major soil offensive In the middle of the current American air strikes.
The Houthi media reported on Thursday 14 strikes on military targets in Sanaa, which was reportedly responsible for the death of a person. The American army has been beating Houthi targets every day since March 15.
2 / Yemen: US Central Command (Centcom) carried out at least 11 air strikes targeting infrastructure and leadership Houthi near the city of Sanaa, Sanaa governorate, since April 10. Https://t.co/mo9qdyn3jl
Mohammed Al Bukhaiti, member of the Houthi political bureau, warned the Yemeni… pic.twitter.com/7xdabmkpym
– Institute for the study of war (@thestudyofwar) April 11, 2025
According to Bloomberg, Yemeni forces are in discussion with the United States and its Arab allies, mainly Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, in preparation for a large offensive on the ground against areas held by Houthis from multiple fronts.
A coalition led by Saudi Arabia has been fighting Houthis supported by Iran since about 2014, but direct confrontations have greatly ended with a cease-fire in 2022.
Emirati media The National Recently reported that Yemen mobilizes around 80,000 soldiers for an offensive aimed at resuming the Port of Hodeidah In the first step in a wider operation, with the ultimate aim of taking control of the capital, Sanaa.
The reports suggest that the United States would not be involved in the ground troops in a possible offensive. However, Michael Kurilla, head of the American central command, visited the Saudi capital of Riyadh this month to meet the chiefs of the Saudi and Yemeni armed forces.
The generals discussed “in progress against the Houthis supported by Iran,” said the Pentagon. Translections would have focused on coordinating American air strikes with Yemeni ground progress to maximize damage to Houthis.
According to Reuters, a senior water official and an official Saudi source denied information that their countries were involved in planning a potential offensive.
Lighted sources cited by Bloomberg have declared that a possible scenario would see a widening of the air strikes while the land troops produced a multi-pont assault aimed at capturing Hodeidah.
“American strikes deteriorate (the Houthis) and prepare the ground for a greater decision,” said a Yemeni source at Kan News, adding that there is currently a unique opportunity “which will not come back” to launch an offensive on the ground to cut the port of Hodeidah, which he called the “Lifeline” Houthis.
A map of the Houthi rebels’ attacks on commercial shipment off the coast of #Yemen.
It should be noted that the vast majority of incidents have occurred outside the Yemeni territorial waters, and many have moved away from #Houthi controlled ribs.
Thanks to @Detresfa_ For… pic.twitter.com/zvdfbe2qov
– War Mapper (@war_mapper) January 16, 2024
In another development concerning development which could increase pressure to defeat the Houthis, the terrorist group would have contacted friendly agents of Al-Qaeda to carry out attacks against the Yemeni government.
During the civil war, Al-Qaeda dug an area which is still under its control and, despite the ideological and religious differences, the terrorist groups would have cooperated.
In addition, the Houthis would also have good relations with the Somali branch of Al Qaeda, called Al-Shabab, and use this connection for the training and smuggling of weapons, according to the American command of Africa.
The link recently attracted the attention of US President Donald Trump. He wrote on social networks that the United States “will support the Somali people, who should not allow Houthis to integrate (which they are trying to do!), To put an end to terrorism and bring prosperity to their country”.
“It is time for terrorists to hide, but that will not do them good. Our fighters, the biggest in the world never seen, will find them and bring them to quick justice,” added Trump.
