Demonstrators burn US and Israeli flags during a rally in solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and in condemnation of US strikes, in Yemen’s Huthi-controlled capital Sanaa on April 18, 2025 (Mohammed HUWAIS / AFP)
| Published April 20, 2025
In a significant development in the Middle East, the United States and Yemeni government forces are reportedly preparing for a coordinated ground offensive against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. This move follows intensified U.S. airstrikes targeting Houthi positions and infrastructure, aiming to curb the group’s attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes and missile launches toward Israel.
Escalation in the Red Sea
The Houthis have escalated their maritime aggression, launching over 100 attacks on international shipping since November 2023, citing solidarity with Palestinians amid the Gaza conflict. In response, the U.S. has ramped up its military campaign, including a recent airstrike on Yemen’s Ras Isa fuel port that resulted in at least 74 casualties, marking one of the deadliest strikes to date. Despite these efforts, the Houthis continue their assaults, prompting discussions of a potential ground operation to dismantle their capabilities.
Regional Dynamics and Denials
Reports suggest that Yemeni forces, with U.S. support, are considering an offensive along the Red Sea coast, particularly targeting strategic areas like Hodeidah. However, the United Arab Emirates has denied involvement in any such plans, emphasizing its reduced military presence in Yemen since 2019. The UAE’s stance reflects the complex regional dynamics, as Gulf allies weigh the risks of deeper engagement against the Houthis.
Implications for Israel and Global Trade
The Houthi threat extends beyond Yemen, with recent missile launches intercepted over central Israel, highlighting the group’s expanding reach and the potential for broader regional conflict. Additionally, the Red Sea’s strategic importance for global trade underscores the urgency of addressing the Houthi menace, as continued disruptions could have far-reaching economic consequences.
Here’s a Pros and Cons breakdown from a strategic and security-focused lens regarding the potential U.S.-Yemeni ground operation against the Houthis:
⚖️ Pros and Cons of a U.S.-Backed Ground Offensive Against the Houthis
✅ Pros
1. Strategic Disruption of Houthi Operations
A ground assault could directly target and dismantle critical Houthi infrastructure—command centers, missile launch sites, and supply chains—that airstrikes alone have failed to eliminate.
2. Protection of Global Trade Routes
The Red Sea is a major artery for international shipping. Neutralizing the Houthis’ maritime capabilities would stabilize one of the world’s most vital economic corridors, reducing risk to civilian vessels and global commerce.
3. Deterrence Against Iranian Influence
The Houthis operate with significant support from Iran. A successful campaign would send a strong message to Tehran and its proxies across the region—particularly Hezbollah and militias in Syria and Iraq—that U.S. resolve remains firm.
4. Reinforces Alliances and Local Partnerships
Cooperation between the U.S. and Yemeni government forces strengthens local legitimacy and bolsters regional coalitions fighting terrorism and Iranian-backed militias.
❌ Cons
1. Risk of Prolonged Military Engagement
Ground operations are notoriously difficult, especially in rugged, urbanized terrain like western Yemen. There’s a risk of mission creep, civilian casualties, and a drawn-out conflict without clear exit strategies.
2. Humanitarian Crisis Worsening
Yemen is already in the midst of one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters. A ground invasion could exacerbate displacement, starvation, and civilian suffering—fueling anti-Western sentiment and undermining diplomatic goals.
3. Political Blowback at Home and Abroad
Further U.S. military involvement in the Middle East could face criticism from both political parties. War-weary Americans may question the strategic value of deeper involvement in yet another foreign conflict.
4. Regional Escalation Potential
A ground offensive could provoke retaliation from other Iranian-backed groups, especially Hezbollah or Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria—widening the conflict and complicating U.S. interests in the region.
🧭 Conclusion
The prospect of a joint ground operation by U.S. and Yemeni forces against the Houthis marks a pivotal moment in the broader struggle to restore stability in the Middle East. As Red Sea shipping lanes remain under siege and Houthi missile threats stretch as far as Israel, the need for a decisive response has become more urgent than ever.
While airstrikes have delivered tactical blows, they have not been enough to halt the Houthis’ aggression. A ground campaign—though complex and risky—could potentially dismantle the group’s operational capabilities and deter further regional escalation. However, such a move also carries the weight of long-term consequences, from humanitarian fallout in Yemen to further entanglement of U.S. forces abroad.
For now, one thing is clear: the threat posed by the Houthis can no longer be ignored or contained with limited strikes. Whether this joint operation succeeds may well determine the future of Red Sea security, regional balance, and U.S. credibility in the face of rising Iranian-backed militancy.
SOURCES: THE TIME OF ISRAEL – Houthis prepping for potential ground operation by Yemeni forces in coordination with US – report
THE JERUSALEM POST – Half of Houthis’ ballistic missile launches to Israel have failed, report finds
REUTERS – UAE, Saudi Arabia deny reports of involvement in talks about land offensive in Yemen
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