US Escalates Bombing Campaign in Yemen Amidst Speculation of Impending Ground Invasion
In a recent escalation, the United States has launched a series of airstrikes across multiple regions in Yemen, striking various sites and infrastructure within the Arab nation.
According to Yemen’s official Saba news agency, which referenced anonymous local sources, a US airstrike struck the Mayfa’at ‘Anss district in the southwestern province of Dhamar early Wednesday. There were no reports of casualties.
Earlier, U.S. fighter jets conducted a series of airstrikes targeting the Harf Sufyan district in Yemen’s northwestern province of ‘Amran. There have been no immediate reports of casualties or damage resulting from the assault.
The Al Salem district in Yemen’s northwestern province of Sa’ada endured six airstrikes, and the Kitaf wa al-Boqe’e district was targeted by four aerial assaults. Additionally, reports indicate that at least three airstrikes occurred east of Sa’ada city.
There have been no immediate reports regarding potential casualties or the extent of the devastation.
An aerial bombardment targeted the Az Zahir district in the central al-Bayda province.
Kamaran Island in the Red Sea has experienced significant aerial bombardment, as Yemeni media sources have reported at least 15 airstrikes hitting the area.
The reports did not provide details regarding any casualties or the level of infrastructure damage caused by the bombardments.
In a strategic move, United States military strikes have set the stage for a potential ground invasion of Yemen by militants backed by the United Arab Emirates. These actions mark an escalation in the ongoing conflicts within the region.
Reports have surfaced indicating that militants, with backing from the United Arab Emirates, are preparing to launch a ground offensive aimed at seizing control of the strategically crucial port city of Hudaydah. The city is currently under the control of the Yemeni Armed Forces and fighters from the Ansarullah resistance movement.
According to a report by the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday, private security contractors from the United States offered strategic counsel to Yemeni factions regarding a possible ground operation. Sources involved in the planning disclosed that the United Arab Emirates, a backer of these factions, has recently discussed the plan with U.S. officials.
The ground offensive aims to capitalize on the recent US aerial bombardment, which has targeted military installations and infrastructure belonging to the Yemeni Armed Forces (YAF).
According to US officials quoted by the newspaper, Washington has conducted over 350 strikes in its ongoing military campaign in Yemen, asserting that these actions have significantly weakened the Yemeni Armed Forces.
Sources aligned with pro-UAE interests in Yemen reveal that factions affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council (STC), supported by the UAE, are reportedly planning a strategic move. This plan involves redeploying their forces toward the northern region along the western Yemeni coastline with the objective of capturing the strategic Red Sea port of Hudaydah.
A successful ground offensive could see the YAF being driven back from significant stretches of the coastline, areas they have utilized to launch attacks on ships associated with Israel navigating the Red Sea.
The Wall Street Journal cautioned that the decision could intensify the conflict in Yemen, where Yemeni Armed Forces and their allies have been engaged in combat against militant factions supported by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
The newspaper highlighted concerns that a significant ground offensive could potentially rekindle a long-dormant Yemeni civil war. This conflict previously triggered a humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by a bombing campaign from a Saudi-Emirati coalition that backed local ground forces.
