Houthi Threat Demands Ground Forces, Not Just Air Strikes, Experts Say

The Houthi movement in Yemen poses a significant and complex military threat, exceeding the portrayal in global and Israeli media. Despite multiple U.S. air campaigns in 2024-2025, including a large-scale operation named "Tough Rider" in March-April 2025, the U.S. failed to subdue the Shiite Islamist militia. Following the third failed bombing campaign, then-President Donald Trump declared victory, claiming Houthi assurances against attacking U.S. ships, and withdrew forces without significantly degrading their capabilities to disrupt shipping in the Bab al-Mandab strait, strike Saudi oil infrastructure, or launch long-range ballistic missiles towards Israel.

While the Israeli Air Force achieved more success, eliminating a considerable portion of the Houthi leadership and damaging the port of Hodeidah, a key supply line, it did not destroy their military capacity as claimed by then-Defense Minister Israel Katz. The Houthis only ceased firing towards Israel when a ceasefire was reached in Gaza.

Washington views the Houthis as Iranian proxies and anticipates a resolution after the U.S. midterm elections, potentially through a decisive strike against Iran or a new nuclear deal. Trump, learning from costly and ineffective past U.S. operations, redirected Saudi Arabia's request for assistance to Israel, focusing on intelligence sharing and attack methods for the Saudi Air Force. He avoided sending additional Patriot and THAAD batteries to Saudi Arabia, prioritizing stockpiles for a potential conflict with Iran.

The article argues that effectively countering the Houthis requires credible ground forces with comparable religious motivation for massive maneuvers, supported by Western air power, similar to how ISIS was defeated in Iraq and Syria. The Houthis are currently collaborating with Iranian proxies in Iraq, sharing intelligence and coordinating drone attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure. This alliance poses an escalating threat to Egypt, which is losing millions daily due to the disruption of shipping through the Suez Canal, and impacts the transport of Saudi oil to Europe via the Egyptian SUMED pipeline.

Israel's advanced intelligence capabilities could aid Saudi Arabia in locating and neutralizing Houthi underground facilities and missile production sites. However, Israel cannot spare its own air defense systems like Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow 3, which are crucial for its defense against Iran. At most, Israel can offer intelligence gathering and advice on deploying existing defense systems. The article concludes that ultimately, ground forces are necessary to dislodge the Houthis, and Saudi Arabia must cease its conflict with UAE-backed forces in southern Yemen, which have proven effective against the Houthis. An international coalition, including European nations affected by the Bab al-Mandab disruptions, is hoped for, but its formation and effectiveness will take time, while Iran continues to supply the Houthis with critical components.