US mulls backing ground offensive against Yemen's Houthis

The Trump administration is mulling over requests to back a ground offensive by Yemeni forces against the Houthis in addition to its ongoing airstrikes against the Sanaa-based group.

Yemeni factions are looking to utilise ongoing US airstrikes against the Houthis to oust the group that took control of the capital Sanaa and most of northern Yemen.

US private contractors have reportedly provided advice for a ground offensive, and the UAE has also been pushing for US support for it, according to Yemeni and US officials speaking to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

Although open to the suggestion, the US has yet to back the plan, the WSJ reported. Saudi Arabia - a key backer of the UN-recognised Yemeni government - has told its US and Yemeni counterparts that it won't back the offensive over fears of Houthi retaliation.

The UAE has denied the reports labelling them "wild unsubstantiated stories", however Bloomberg has also reported on the plans by anti-Houthi factions which it said were being discussed with the US and Gulf allies.

The plan would see Yemeni factions launch an offensive up the coast of the Red Sea seeking to take the port of Hodeidah, the primary port for imports into Houthi-controlled Yemen. The port receives humanitarian supplies as well as suspected Iranian arms shipments.

Yemeni factions have also said that US airstrikes are generating mixed results against the Houthis and are not enough to defeat the group.

Since 15 March the Trump administration has been conducting airstrikes against the Houthis over its attacks on international shipping passing through the Red Sea, which it began following the breakout of Israel's war on Gaza, saying this was in solidarity with Palestinians.

A second aircraft carrier was also deployed by the US to the Red Sea to support the attacks.

The strikes, which have targeted Houthi leaders as well as military infrastructure, have killed over 120 people, according to the Houthis.

The Houthis have also launched ballistic missiles and drones against Israel, which itself has launched airstrikes on Yemen.

Ahmed Nagi, Senior Analyst on Yemen for the International Crisis Group, told The New Arab that the Yemeni government sees the US campaign as an opportunity and that the US will need to partner with them to stop Red Sea attacks.

Nagi said if the US were to back a ground operation it could work with Yemen's fragmented anti-Houthi factions, including the National Resistance, Giants Brigade, National Shied Forces, Islah-Affiliated fighters and the Southern Transitional Council, and bypass the Presidential Leadership Council.

He noted, however, that the Houthis have been reinforcing their coastal positions for such an offensive and a long campaign.

"The Houthis are likely to mount strong resistance, making the battle long, costly and devastating - particularly for civilians,” Nagi said.

Yemen is experiencing one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with the UN estimating that half of children under five are acutely malnourished, and Amnesty International warning that US aid cuts have caused essential humanitarian services to be shut down.

Editors note: This story has been updated on 16 April, 16:00 BST, to include a denial from the UAE as well as an additional report by Bloomberg.