Yemen readies for the largest attack against Houthi insurgents, bolstered by American aid.
In the midst of Yemen's ongoing war, a glimmer of progress was seen by Thursday, as President Rashad Muhammad Al-Alimi rallied his forces, hailing a "national alignment" against the Houthi movement. Al-Alimi publicly declared the Houthis as a continual threat to global peace and stability.
The Houthis, a significant faction in the Iran-led Axis of Resistance, now finds itself battling an army potentially boasting 80,000 troops, as the Yemeni government plans to recapture Hodeidah — the Red Sea's largest port and a vital lifeline for the Houthis as well as Yemen's civilians.
While the Houthis control substantial territories, including the capital Sanaa, their adversaries include the internationally recognized government backed by a Saudi-led coalition, and entities like Lebanese Hezbollah and Palestinian Hamas. Many of these factions have been weakened significantly by Israel since October 2023.
Emily Milliken, an associate director of the Washington-based Atlantic Council think tank's Middle East programs, has suggested that the Yemeni government's mobilization of troops is not just for defense, but potentially for offensive operations against the Houthis.
Iran plays a crucial role in supporting the Houthis, supplying advanced weapons, drone technology, and training through the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Even though Iran denies its involvement directly, there's ample evidence, such as intercepted arms shipments and joint operations planning, to prove otherwise.
Hezbollah, another key player, trains Houthi forces and shares their expertise in drone warfare, with senior operatives like Khalil Harb facilitating this partnership. Russia provides the Houthis with targeting intelligence, aiding attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, while Hamas' role remains relatively minor compared to Hezbollah's active military support.
The conflict in Yemen has escalated into a multifaceted proxy war, with the Saudi-led airstrikes accounting for over 19,000 civilian casualties since 2015. Simultaneously, Houthi drone and missile attacks continue, targeting Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and maritime assets. Tensions have escalated further, leading to heightened U.S. military involvement, including airstrikes against Houthi assets and increased accusations pointing to Iran as the instigator of hostilities.
- The Yemeni government, aiming to recapture Hodeidah, a crucial port controlled by the Houthis, faces off against the Houthis, who are part of the Iran-led Axis of Resistance.
- Emily Milliken, an associate director at the Atlantic Council, suggests that the Yemeni government's troop mobilization may not only be for defense but also for potential offensive operations against the Houthis.
- In addition to the Houthis, their allies include entities like Lebanese Hezbollah and Palestinian Hamas, all of whom have been weakened significantly by Israel since October 2023.
- Iran plays a key role in supporting the Houthis by supplying advanced weapons, drone technology, and training, despite denying its involvement directly. Evidence of Iran's involvement includes intercepted arms shipments and joint operations planning.
