As two carrier strike groups pound Houthi positions in northwestern Yemen, the Internationally Recognized Government of Yemen (IRG) and its allies are building a large force to drive the Houthi rebels from the capital Sana’a, according to multiple sources.
If it is attempted, the ground offensive could result in fighting over the port city of Hodeidah, a focal point for back-and-forth struggles for control throughout the country's long civil war.
Observers believe that Houthis have been hit hard by recent U.S. strikes, and that the IRG is making preparations to retake the capital.
There appears to be preparation for renewed ground combat in the north, near Al Jawf and Sada, and in the south near Taiz, suggested Chatham House research fellow Farea al-Muslimi. "That is the front lines that the [Saudi and UAE] coalition is arming, in preparation for possibility of resuming ground troops over the next few weeks, and I think that is most likely what will happen," said al-Muslimi adding "The current military discussions are moving unfortunately as if the [ground] war is to actually resume in the next hours, not just in the next weeks."
On Sunday, Houthi sources reported six dead and 30 wounded from U.S. bombing attacks. The group calculates the total death toll of the campaign to date at 120 people, including both combatants and civilians.
The rebels also claimed the downing of another American MQ-9 Reaper drone, which U.S. Central Command declined to confirm or deny. The Houthis possess short range surface-to-air missiles that have proven capable of shooting down Reaper drones before.
Central Command says that its assets are striking Houthi positions around the clock, but has released limited information about specific targets or individuals hit by the campaign.