The U.S. is intensifying its military actions against Houthi positions in northwestern Yemen. The Yemeni government is preparing a ground force to reclaim the Red Sea coastline, notably Hodeidah. Experts suggest a shift towards a military solution to the conflict, with immediate potential for renewed fighting as regional players gear up for combat.
Two U.S. carrier strike groups are currently targeting Houthi positions in northwestern Yemen, while the official Yemeni government and its allies are assembling a formidable force aimed at reclaiming the Red Sea coastline from the militant group. Should this ground offensive proceed, it may lead to significant clashes over Hodeidah, a central point in Yemen’s prolonged civil conflict.
Dr. Abdulaziz Sager, the head of the Gulf Research Center, indicated during a Chatham House panel discussion that the Houthis had suffered substantial losses due to recent U.S. airstrikes. He noted the Yemeni government is undertaking preparations for a potential retaking of the country, emphasizing that while there remains hope for a political resolution, a military approach appears imminent. “To my best knowledge, there is a preparation of almost 80,000 Yemeni soldiers… supported by the drone surveillance and by the air coverage by the US side,” stated Dr. Sager.
Farea al-Muslimi, a research fellow at Chatham House, suggested that there is ongoing preparation for renewed ground combat, particularly in regions near Al Jawf, Sada, and Taiz. He expressed concern that military discussions are trending towards an immediate escalation of ground conflict, indicating that hostilities could resume shortly. “…the [ground] war is to actually resume in the next hours, not just in the next weeks,” al-Muslimi explained.
The Houthis have previously engaged over this coastal region, but their capacity to defend will be compromised by U.S. control over maritime operations related to the port of Hodeidah, which serves as the primary fuel entry point into western Yemen. Reports indicate recent U.S. airstrikes have resulted in casualties, with Houthi sources claiming six fatalities and numerous injuries, along with a total claimed death toll of 120 from the campaign thus far.
Additionally, the Houthis asserted that they had successfully downed an American MQ-9 Reaper drone, a claim that U.S. Central Command did not confirm. Continuous operations are being reported by Central Command, which implies that their forces are engaged in attacking Houthi targets relentlessly, although they have provided limited details regarding specific operations or consequences of the strikes.
In summary, U.S. military action against Houthi forces in Yemen is intensifying, coinciding with preparations by Yemeni ground forces for a potential offensive to reclaim critical territory, specifically the Red Sea coastline. The situation hints at an imminent military resolution as both sides brace for renewed combat, particularly around key locations. Current developments suggest that hopes for a political settlement may be overshadowed by the escalating conflict, indicating a challenging path ahead for Yemeni peace efforts.
Original Source: maritime-executive.com
