US Preparing to Support Ground Offensive Against Houthis to Protect International Shipping

A strategic expert suggested that the United States is planning to support a ground operation aimed at toppling the Houthis by Yemeni government forces, amid continued threats by the Iran-backed militia to international shipping in the Red Sea.

Speaking on Al Jazeera’s program "Path of Events," Dr. Liqaa Makki, a senior researcher at the Al Jazeera Center for Studies, noted that airstrikes alone will not be sufficient to eliminate or weaken the Houthis' capabilities.

Makki emphasized that the US needs an effective response to the Houthis’ disruption of international shipping, which might require preparations for a new ground war.

Earlier this month, Yemen's ambassador to Washington, Mohammed Al-Hadhrami, called on the United States to support the Yemeni army in liberating the port of Hodeidah from Houthi control. During his remarks at the US Senate, Al-Hadhrami proposed several measures for a new US strategy, including the official designation of the Houthis as a terrorist organization.

This move aims to protect international shipping and compel the Houthis to engage in the peace process.

In a related development, the Houthis claimed to have shot down an F-18 jet while countering American and British aircraft that carried out raids on Yemen. However, the US military clarified that the aircraft was accidentally downed by friendly fire during its mission above the aircraft carrier "Harry S. Truman."

Meanwhile, the US Central Command announced precision air operations targeting Houthi facilities in Sanaa, stating that several drones and missiles were intercepted over the Red Sea.

Since the beginning of this year, a US-led military coalition has launched strikes on the Houthis, justifying them as responses to their threats against international shipping.