In a significant escalation of the ongoing war in Yemen, a coalition of Yemeni government forces, backed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has reportedly mobilized tens of thousands of troops and foreign mercenaries in preparation for a wide-scale ground operation against the Iranian-backed Houthi movement. The operation is expected to receive extensive support from American air power, underscoring both the regional and international stakes of the campaign.
Military sources and regional analysts confirm that the coalition’s mobilization constitutes the largest such preparation in years, reflecting deep concern over the Houthis’ increasing boldness and Iranian support. The alliance, composed of government loyalists, regular Gulf forces, and a substantial number of contracted fighters, has been positioned in key strategic areas around northern Yemen. These forces are said to be on high alert, awaiting the order to move against entrenched Houthi positions in a campaign designed to break the deadlock that has gripped Yemen since 2014.
The Houthi movement, formally known as Ansar Allah, continues to enjoy logistical, financial, and military backing from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran. This support has transformed the Houthis into a central pillar of the Iranian ‘Axis of Resistance,’ alongside organizations such as Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Analysts view the Houthis as a crucial extension of Iran’s regional strategy, and their dominance in Yemen poses a direct threat to the security of key maritime corridors, regional stability, and Israel.
The intensity of the current military build-up follows months of heightened Houthi aggression. The group has targeted international shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden with ballistic missiles and drones—part of a broader campaign coordinated with Iran’s other regional proxies and the IRGC. The United States and its allies have responded with targeted airstrikes against Houthi infrastructure and launch sites, seeking to maintain open shipping lanes and deter further attacks against civilian and commercial vessels.
Gulf coalition planners emphasize that the impending operation aims to decisively weaken the Houthi threat by dismantling their strongholds, restoring territorial gains to the internationally recognized Yemeni government, and disrupting the flow of advanced Iranian weaponry to the front lines. American airpower—already instrumental in defending commercial traffic and intercepting missile launches—will reportedly play a vital role in providing close air support and targeting high-value Houthi assets.
Houthi leaders, acutely aware of the threat, have issued public warnings directed at the UAE regarding the recruitment of mercenary forces. These warnings, widely circulated across regional media, reflect a growing apprehension among Houthi commanders that the strategic balance is turning against them in the face of a coalition determined to exact heavy losses on Iranian-backed militants.
The build-up occurs against the backdrop of broader regional hostilities. Since the October 7, 2023 massacre by Hamas—the deadliest antisemitic attack since the Holocaust—Iran’s network of proxies has grown increasingly active. The Houthis have openly pledged solidarity with other Iranian-backed groups, expanding both the scope and intensity of their operations. Notably, they have targeted Israeli interests and threatened commercial and naval traffic transiting the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a move deemed intolerable by U.S., European, and Israeli officials.
Western intelligence agencies have repeatedly documented Tehran’s provision of advanced armaments to the Houthi movement, including ballistic and cruise missiles, drones, and the technical expertise required to operate them. This support has prolonged Yemen’s devastating civil war, fueled regional instability, and enabled the Houthis to launch dozens of cross-border strikes, some of which have targeted Saudi and Emirati cities, and others Israel.
The humanitarian stakes remain acute. Years of conflict have produced one of the world’s worst humanitarian emergencies, displacing millions and plunging much of Yemen’s population into food insecurity. Coalition officials stress that any major ground operation will include humanitarian corridors and logistical support for civilians to minimize collateral suffering and to differentiate between operational military goals and the protection of noncombatants—an imperative that stands in stark contrast to the practices of the Iranian-backed militias.
The coming campaign is seen by many regional leaders as a pivotal test. Success would deal a historic blow to Iran’s ambitions, reduce threats to vital shipping lanes, and set back the entire Axis of Resistance. Failure, on the other hand, could entrench the Houthis further and embolden Iran’s network of proxies across the region.
For Israel, the implications are significant. Israeli security officials have repeatedly warned that Houthi missile capabilities, if unchecked, present a direct strategic threat. The prospect of Iranian-supplied precision weapons in the hands of an ideologically motivated militia on the Arabian Peninsula deepens Israel’s concern about cross-domain threats posed by Iran’s regional project.
The United States remains a key partner in the effort to roll back Houthi expansion. While careful to avoid direct intervention, U.S. officials reaffirm the necessity of defending global commerce, supporting regional partners, and countering the malign spread of Iranian weapons technology. American airstrikes and intelligence cooperation have already blunted several Houthi attacks and are expected to intensify should ground operations commence.
With military and political momentum converging, observers expect the next phase of the Yemeni conflict to be defined by the execution and aftermath of this campaign. If successful, it would not only alter the battlefield in Yemen but would serve as a critical blow to Iranian-backed terrorism and its destabilizing influence across the Middle East. For now, the region waits, watching as the coalition prepares for what may prove to be the most consequential operation of Yemen’s modern history.
