ASSESSMENTS

In Yemen, the U.S.'s Anti-Houthi Campaign Raises the Specter of a Government Ground Offensive

Apr 24, 2025 | 16:44 GMT

Yemeni soldiers stand guard during a protest against the United States on April 18, 2025 in Sanaa, Yemen.
Yemeni soldiers stand guard during a protest against the United States on April 18, 2025 in Sanaa, Yemen.

Yemeni soldiers stand guard (Mohammed Hamoud/Getty Image a protest against the United States on April 18, 2025 in Sanaa, Yemen.

In Yemen, a potential government ground offensive against the Houthis would risk reigniting security threats to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and could undermine the Yemeni government's internal coalition. On April 14, The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. and Yemeni officials claim discussions are underway about a potential offensive against the key Red Sea port city of Hodeidah as part of a ground offensive against the Houthi militant movement. Other reports in Bloomberg and Abu Dhabi's The National suggested that the attacks might even aim to retake Sanaa, the capital city, and involve tens of thousands of forces. The possible offensive appears to be in a planning phase, rather than a build-up phase, and it remains unclear as to how committed various partners would be in any of these possible scenarios. Indeed, the United Arab Emirates, a key backer of the Yemeni government and of powerful proxies...

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