The Houthi‘s future is now in doubt.
Back in the early months of 2024, I was hoping that the incessant missile, rocket and drone barrages coupled with the open acts of piracy would encourage the Biden administration to take more drastic steps to seriously disrupt and degrade Ansar Allah. Alas, predictably, they opted for mere pinprick strikes. The administration didn’t re-designate the Houthis as a FTO, they didn’t scuttle the fictitious peace process to supposedly end the civil war in Yemen and they didn’t target the leadership of the organization.
Most importantly, though, they did not arm, assist and support the anti-Houthi forces on the ground. That would’ve been materially important to threaten their hold over Sanaa and Hodeidah.
At the same time, I advocated providing similar aid to the Syrian rebels. In the end, the weakness of the enemy, laid bare by robust Israeli military force, created an opening for the Syrian rebels to achieve a comprehensive military victory - even without any significant US support.
Israel has now put Ansar Allah‘s leadership on notice. Israel’s cabinet is planning on neutralizing their leadership such as Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, thus undermining any remaining command and control functions of the militia. Add to that likely IAF and commando raid attacks on Houthi-controlled ports, oil refineries as well as conventional military targets, and there‘d be a clear opening for the different armed groups, loyal to the Yemeni government, to initiate offensive ground operations to advance towards Sanaa and take control over the coastal areas.
Most importantly, though, they did not arm, assist and support the anti-Houthi forces on the ground. That would’ve been materially important to threaten their hold over Sanaa and Hodeidah.
At the same time, I advocated providing similar aid to the Syrian rebels. In the end, the weakness of the enemy, laid bare by robust Israeli military force, created an opening for the Syrian rebels to achieve a comprehensive military victory - even without any significant US support.
Israel has now put Ansar Allah‘s leadership on notice. Israel’s cabinet is planning on neutralizing their leadership such as Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, thus undermining any remaining command and control functions of the militia. Add to that likely IAF and commando raid attacks on Houthi-controlled ports, oil refineries as well as conventional military targets, and there‘d be a clear opening for the different armed groups, loyal to the Yemeni government, to initiate offensive ground operations to advance towards Sanaa and take control over the coastal areas.
