[News] Yemen Braces For Impending Massive US-Led Air and Ground Campaign

[Anti-Imperialist News]

mintpressnews.com
<https://www.mintpressnews.com/exclusive-yemen-braces-for-impending-massive-us-led-air-and-ground-campaign/287342/>
Exclusive: Yemen Braces For Impending Massive US-Led Air and Ground Campaign
*By Ahmed Abdulkareem, MintPress News*
------------------------------

Senior military officials in Sana’a have informed MintPress News of ongoing
military preparations by the US, UK, and Saudi-led Coalition over the past
two weeks. According to these sources, there are plans to initiate a
significant aerial assault on the Yemeni mainland, focusing particularly on
coastal regions in the west, as well as areas in the south near the Saudi
border. This assault is expected to be accompanied by ground offensives
carried out by factions aligned with the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain.

MintPress News sources indicate a probable escalation, coinciding with
significant military reinforcements. Notably, squadrons of US F-16 aircraft
have been arriving at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, located less
than 200 kilometers from the Yemeni border. Additionally, extensive air
transport activities involving weapons and equipment have been observed
over the past two weeks, with US cargo planes shuttling to and from
military bases in Saudi Arabia and Djibouti.

On April 29, the Aviano Air Base in Italy declared
<https://www.stripes.com/branches/air_force/2024-04-29/aviano-air-base-jets-deploy-13694876.html>the
deployment of F-16 Fighting Falcon jets from its 510th Expeditionary
Fighter Squadron to the Middle East. As stated on the Aviano Air Base
website, these F-16s are set to undertake a range of missions, including
safeguarding civilian vessels in the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf as part of
Operation Prosperity Guardian, alongside other crucial force protection and
deterrence duties

Sources near the Saudi-led coalition-backed government in Aden revealed to
MintPress News that the United States and Britain have ramped up their
dialogue with the Ministry of Defense in the Aden administration. This
surge comes in response to recent Yemeni activities in the Red Sea, the
Gulf of Aden, and the Indian Ocean.

Military and political insiders in Sanaa informed MintPress News about the
military exercise held
<https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240422-uae-launches-military-exercise-with-10-nation-participation/>on
April 24. The event, dubbed “Desert Flag 9,” saw the participation of Saudi
Arabia, Israel, and other Arab nations at the Al Dhafra base in the
Emirates. This maneuver is believed to be part of preparations for the
announcement of a new military coalition, ostensibly aimed at safeguarding
international freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and
Indian Ocean. At the outset of the exercise, General Charles Keough,
Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, lauded the collaboration among
allies in countering perceived Iranian threats.

Numerous officials in Sanaa and among Ansar Allah have issued public
warnings <https://www.saba.ye/ar/news3325424.htm> about alleged plans
orchestrated by the United States and Britain, with support from certain
Arab nations. The Supreme Political Council, the highest governing body in
the northern region, has cautioned against any hostile escalation by the
United States in Yemen. It asserts that ongoing suspicious preparations
aimed at dissuading Yemen from supporting Gaza will prove futile.
Emphasizing that any consequences of such escalation will extend beyond
Yemen’s borders, the Council has urged Saudi Arabia to prioritize its
national interests over those of the United States.

It seems evident that Saudi and Emirati endeavors extend beyond merely
challenging the naval blockade imposed by Ansar Allah on Israel, currently
engaged in what many legal experts have termed a genocide in Gaza. Rather,
indications suggest that these oil-rich nations may be poised to actively
participate in an anticipated U.S. and U.K. military intervention. Their
aim? To dismantle the blockade on Israel imposed by Yemeni forces and quell
Ansar Allah’s assaults on Israeli vessels—actions purportedly intended to
halt the ongoing genocide and alleviate the siege on civilians within the
embattled enclave.

In addressing the Yemen-Saudi border situation, Muhammad Ali Al-Houthi, a
member of the Supreme Political Council, raised
<https://twitter.com/Moh_Alhouthi/status/1785410839031243252>poignant
questions: “Why does Saudi Arabia deliberately target civilians on the
Yemeni border with French Caesar’s cannons? Wouldn’t it be wiser for the
Saudi army to position these cannons near the borders of the northern
kingdom to aid the people of Gaza?” He cautioned against reckless actions,
stating, “Do not play with fire. We possess a strategic arsenal far beyond
what you anticipate.”

Hussein Al-Ezzi, serving as the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in the
Sana’a government, issued
<https://x.com/hussinalezzi5/status/1784006798946537849?t=mhMmvoehgRX17DMZoDI9hw&s=35>a
stark warning:

We are well aware of Washington’s hostile intentions. Henceforth, we hold
Washington accountable for any dire consequences resulting from its
reckless actions against Yemen. It may soon find itself devoid of safe
havens in the region, as its interests become a common target for all those
who value freedom.”

Seeking to entangle itself anew in the Yemen conflict and forge closer ties
with Israel, the United States has pledged support to Saudi Arabia. This
includes assistance for a Saudi nuclear program and designating Saudi
Arabia as a major non-NATO ally. Talks are ongoing to solidify a joint
defense pact and enhance security cooperation, as reported
<https://youtu.be/FvkQ-grWpHA?si=mFSOSbuU-9DFZExK>by Saudi media.
Impending Assaults on Critical Assets

The peril isn’t just about the conflict’s escalation, but also the
neighboring nations getting entangled in operations beyond their control.
This risks sparking another tragic conflict, impacting not only war-torn
Yemen but also neighboring countries like Saudi Arabia.

MintPress sources have confirmed that, in the case of a U.S.-led ground
invasion of Yemen, planned assaults by Ansar Allah will target not only
U.S. interests and bases within the involved nations but also critical
facilities and assets belonging to those participating countries, such as
oil installations.

Ansar Allah has issued a grave threat of launching a large-scale and
aggressive assault aimed at crucial installations, including oil
facilities, in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. This ominous warning mirrors
previous attacks, such as the devastating strikes on the Abqaiq oil
facilities in September 2019, which resulted in a significant disruption to
half of Saudi Arabia’s oil production.

Ali al-Quhom, a Member of the Political Council of Ansar Allah, wrote on X,
“The stage has changed, and with it, the rules of engagement have changed.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE must realize this, and seven years are enough to
learn the lesson. Yemen has become stronger with the increase in military
capabilities at all levels. Escalation will be met with escalation, and
this is a fixed and inseparable rule that will never change, ever. As you
lost before, you will lose now, but this time your loss will be greater
than before.” He added:

There should be no submission or surrender on the part of neighboring
countries to American, British and Israeli pressure and will, indicating
that any American move from the territories of neighboring countries will
lead to strong Yemeni responses, these countries will be the target of
Yemeni operations, We have a target bank that includes strategic and vital
targets in depth and in areas of economic importance.”

Imminent Retaliation

Mounting tensions in Yemen and the broader region coincide with the
withdrawal of an American aircraft carrier from the Red Sea. Yemeni
analysts suggest that this move signifies not only the persistence of
Yemeni operations targeting maritime navigation linked to the Israeli
regime but also hints at a shift towards ground-based operations for a more
extensive assault on Yemeni territory. Yemeni sources indicate that the
departure of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and USS Gravely from the Red Sea is
part of the preparations for the coming assault.

General Shamsan, the head of the Military Spokesmen Committee in the Yemeni
Army, informed MintPress that concurrent with the withdrawal of the
American aircraft carrier, a squadron of aircraft has arrived at Saudi
bases. This development aligns with diplomatic and political maneuvers. The
Americans seem compelled to pivot towards attacks from land bases to
mitigate potential heavy losses from retaliatory strikes against U.S.
aircraft carriers and destroyers at sea.

While certain Yemenis perceive the withdrawal of the American aircraft
carrier from the Red Sea as a triumph, numerous political, military
officials, and analysts interviewed by MintPress regard Washington’s move
with deep suspicion, framing it within the context of ongoing operational
preparations, as emphasized by Brigadier General Shamsan.

Last Friday, the U.S. Navy declared
<https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2024/04/28/us-carrier-and-amphibious-strike-groups-left-the-red-sea-region/>that
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and USS Gravely departed from the Red Sea after an
almost four-month presence. Despite their deployment, the U.S. battle group
was unable to impede Yemeni operations targeting maritime navigation
associated with the Israeli regime, as these operations persisted.

Additionally, there’s a possibility, as indicated by a Yemeni source linked
to the coordination between Yemeni and Iraqi resistance forces, that
certain groups within the Resistance Axis, notably the Iraqi resistance,
may engage in retaliatory strikes against key American and Saudi targets in
the region. This prospect hints at potential conflict not only in the Red
Sea but also in the Strait of Hormuz and the Arabian Gulf, posing a genuine
threat to American interests. However, such escalation could potentially be
averted or delayed, especially considering the Russian front and the
upcoming U.S. presidential elections.
Mounting Tension and Military Preparations

On the ground, clear signs of an impending conflict are emerging,
particularly in the conflict zones of Taiz and Lahj, alongside other
fronts. This coincides with significant military reinforcements being
deployed by factions aligned with the Saudi-Emirati coalition from Aden to
the strategic Tur al-Baha and Haifan fronts. These areas serve as vital
contact points between Sanaa-aligned forces and coalition-backed militias.
Tragically, in the Maqbanah area southwest of Taiz, an attack
allegedly conducted
<https://www.saba.ye/ar/news3324537.htm>by a drone affiliated with these
factions resulted in the loss of two children and three women.

According to Yemeni military media, an American MQ9 drone was brought down
above Saada Governorate while conducting a military operation. Footage released
<https://x.com/MMY1444/status/1784229166868517135?t=THtwEo-nqQdUr18JTv0Img&s=35>last
Friday depicted Yemeni Armed Forces successfully shooting down the US MQ-9
aircraft using a missile.

In the days, military tensions between Yemeni forces and the American and
British navies have surged to unprecedented levels. Reports indicate
violent explosions along the coasts of Al-Khawkhah and Al-Mokha, spanning
from Khor Amira, facing Bab Al-Mandab, to the southern shores of the country

Yemenis harbor a pervasive belief in the imminent likelihood of a ground
invasion, a notion taken with utmost seriousness across the nation.
Numerous officials, in interviews with MintPress, have openly discussed the
potentiality of such an occurrence, grounded not in analysis but in raw
data. Consequently, all regions, cities, and institutions have experienced
a surge in recruitment efforts, operating under the banner of “Al-Aqsa
Flood.”
Yemen’s Resolve Amid Escalating Tensions

While Yemenis are earnestly grappling with the looming prospect of
escalation, their resolve extends beyond merely halting attacks aimed at
ending the conflict in Gaza and lifting the blockade. They’ve heralded an
unprecedented development targeting Israeli vessels across the Indian
Ocean, the Gulf of Aden, and Bab al-Mandab. On Tuesday, the Yemeni Armed
Forces (YAF) launched
<https://x.com/army21ye/status/1785056174909337610?t=1OPMpF4EXTjVI8jP-GgaDA&s=35>strikes
against two United States warships in the Red Sea and targeted the Cyclades
bulk carrier, achieving precise hits. Subsequently, military media footage
surfaced
<https://x.com/MMY1444/status/1785383896307085681?t=pGhRtuxlVR8-qWdtnshk6g&s=35>,
showcasing the moment of the Cyclades ship’s bombing in the Indian Ocean,
underscoring the Yemeni army’s capacity to execute operations hundreds of
kilometers from the Yemeni coastline.

In a televised address to the nation last Thursday discussing the latest
regional developments, Ansar Allah leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi stated
<https://www.masirahtv.net/post/251579/%28%D9%86%D8%B5-%D9%81%D9%8A%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%88%29-%D9%83%D9%84%D9%85%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D9%8A%D8%AF-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%A6%D8%AF-%D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%84%D9%83-%D8%A8%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AD%D9%88%D8%AB%D9%8A-%D8%AD%D9%88%D9%84-%D8%A2%D8%AE%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AA%D8%B7%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D9%81%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B7%D9%8A%D9%86-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%AC%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D9%82%D9%84%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%8A%D8%A9>that
the Yemeni army is enhancing its presence in the Indian Ocean, aiming to
block Israeli-affiliated vessels from navigating the Cape of Good Hope
route or towards the Red Sea. He further remarked, “The Yemeni front will
remain open, and the Yemeni Armed Forces’ (YAF) operations in support of
Palestine will continue.”

Since Abdul-Malik al-Houthi’s speech, four Israeli, American, and British
vessels have been hit. The Yemeni Navy struck the British ship ANDROMEDA
STAR and the Israeli MSC Darwin ship on Saturday, along with an American
warship and another commercial vessel named MAERSK YORKTOWN, and the
Israeli MSC VERACRUZ on April 24. Preceding these events, the Yemeni army
conducted four operations targeting two Israeli ships and two American
ships on April 10.

Following Abdulmalik al-Houthi’s speech, four vessels affiliated with
Israel, the United States and Britain were targeted by Ansar Allah. The
Yemeni navy attacked the British vessel Andromeda Star and the Israeli MSC
Darwinship on Saturday, as well as an American warship and a commercial
vessel named Maersk Yorktown, and the Israeli MSC Veracruz on April 24.
Prior to these incidents, the Yemeni army executed four operations against
two Israeli ships and two American ships on April 10.

It’s worth noting that Ansar Allah has turned down several American offers
aimed at halting their maritime attacks in support of Gaza. These offers
included recognition of their group, revocation of their terrorist
designation, payment of government employee salaries, and the signing of a
comprehensive agreement with Saudi Arabia to end the war and initiate
Yemen’s reconstruction.

Barbara Leaf, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, said
<https://www.state.gov/digital-press-briefing-with-the-assistant-secretary-of-state-for-near-eastern-affairs-barbara-leaf/>in
a press briefing that there are ongoing communications with Ansar Allah,
urging the movement to engage in the Yemeni political process. However, she
clarified that she wouldn’t characterize the discussions with strong
language at this point. Leaf emphasized that “Washington is employing all
available means, both diplomatically and militarily, to deter the Houthis
from their actions,” which she described as “reckless” in the Red Sea.

Feature photo | Yemenis attend a massive rally against US-led airstrikes on
Yemen and the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip in Sanaa, Yemen, March 1,
2024. Osamah Abdulrahman | AP

*Ahmed AbdulKareem is a Yemeni journalist based in Sana’a. He covers the
war in Yemen for MintPress News as well as local Yemeni media.*
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