Yemen’s internationally recognized government, bolstered by loyal tribal groups and with potential American assistance, is reportedly finalizing a plan to launch a major ground offensive against the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist organization in western Yemen. According to military sources and regional officials, the operation aims to expel the Houthis from strategic areas along the Red Sea coast—most notably the port city of Hudaydah—from which the group has launched persistent attacks on international navigation.
This initiative comes after weeks of intensifying maritime aggression by the Houthis in the Red Sea, which threatens the free flow of commerce and energy resources through one of the world’s most critical shipping corridors. While American and allied airstrikes have targeted Houthi missile sites and infrastructure, experts and officials agree that air power alone has not been sufficient to prevent further attacks on civilian and commercial vessels. As a result, focus has shifted to a concerted ground effort led by Yemeni government forces, coordinated with local tribal partners and possibly supported by U.S. aerial or logistical assistance.
Regional Dynamics and the Iranian Threat
The Houthis, classified as a terrorist organization and the principal proxy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Arabian Peninsula, play a key role in the broader Iranian strategy to destabilize the Middle East. Alongside other Iranian-backed groups—Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and regional militias—the Houthis have escalated their operations since the October 7th, 2023 atrocities by Hamas in Israel. These attacks, which included the deadliest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust, marked a major escalation in the ongoing regional conflict imposed on Israel and its allies by Iran and its terror proxies.
The Houthis’ campaign against maritime targets in the Red Sea has included the deployment of advanced missiles and Iranian-made drones, striking or threatening vessels flagged by numerous nations. These attacks are both a form of retaliation against Western and Israeli interests and a means of further entrenching Iranian influence over vital shipping lanes. The U.S., through Operation Prosperity Guardian, and other allies have responded with naval patrols and airstrikes, underlining the global nature of the threat.
Emirati Involvement and International Response
The ground operation plan is reportedly supported by the United Arab Emirates, which maintains relationships with powerful local forces in Yemen and has presented the initiative to American officials. The UAE was instrumental in advancing the Abraham Accords and promoting regional stability, yet recognizes that the failure to secure the Red Sea coastline undermines not only Yemen’s sovereignty but the broader international order.
Officials stress that the campaign’s success will depend on the capabilities and discipline of Yemeni forces, the scope and precision of U.S. support, and the reaction of the Houthis, who have proven adept at guerrilla warfare and asymmetric tactics. There is also risk of a broader escalation, particularly if Iran seeks to expand the conflict beyond Yemen, leveraging its network of proxies in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Gaza.
Strategic and Humanitarian Implications
Control of western coastal areas, especially Hudaydah, is critical to securing the Red Sea and restoring confidence in international trade. Beyond the economic impact, upholding maritime security is a matter of international law and safety for millions who rely on the passage of goods through these routes. The Houthis’ seizure of humanitarian convoys, use of civilian infrastructure for military purposes, and intentional targeting of non-combatants have drawn condemnation from the United Nations and humanitarian organizations.
The moral dimension is underscored by the contrast between internationally recognized governments—like Yemen’s, firmly supported by the U.S. and other allies, as well as Israel’s own existential fight following the October 7th massacre—and Iran’s sustained sponsorship of terrorist violence. Israeli and regional partners, acting within the framework of lawful self-defense, are united in their resolve to roll back Iranian aggression and uphold stability.
Background to the Conflict
The roots of the conflict in Yemen trace to 2014, when Houthi insurgents, backed by Iran, overthrew the elected government and seized Sana’a. Despite a Saudi-led coalition intervention and multiple U.N. ceasefire attempts, the Houthis retain control of large swathes of territory, using their positions along the Red Sea coast as a base for attacks and a means to exert leverage over the world’s maritime commerce. The group’s refusal to disarm and persistent violations of international agreements have prolonged the suffering of Yemen’s population, turning the country into a central theater in the broader war imposed by Tehran on the region.
The Wider Stakes for Israel and the Region
For Israel and its allies, the security of Red Sea maritime lanes is directly linked to national security and the global economy. The threat posed by the Houthis is part of a coordinated Iranian strategy that includes territorial aggression by Hezbollah on Israel’s northern front and ongoing missile and drone attacks from Gaza. Success in Yemen would deal a significant blow not only to the operational capacity of the Houthis but also to the Axis of Resistance—a coalition of Iranian-backed groups intent on spreading chaos and undermining Western and regional order.
Outlook
While the launch date and full extent of the ground operation remain uncertain, regional analysts agree that decisive action is needed to restore Yemen’s sovereignty, protect commerce, and challenge the expansion of Iranian-sponsored terrorism. As the situation develops, the eyes of policymakers in Washington, Abu Dhabi, and Jerusalem are focused on Yemen’s western coast—the outcome will shape the balance of security across the Middle East, with profound implications for years to come.
