UAE, Saudi Arabia Deny Involvement in U.S. Talks on Yemen Land Offensive

Major media outlets reported that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia were involved in talks with the United States about a potential land offensive in Yemen against the Houthi group. However, officials from both the UAE and Saudi Arabia dismissed these claims.

Media Outlets Allege UAE, Saudi Arabia Held Talks on Yemen Offensive

The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that Yemeni factions were planning a ground offensive along the Red Sea coast, aiming to take advantage of U.S. airstrikes targeting the Houthis. 

Citing Yemeni and American sources, the report stated that the UAE had raised the plan with U.S. officials.

On Wednesday, Bloomberg reported that Yemeni forces opposed to the Yemeni Houthis were holding talks with the United States and Gulf allies about a potential ground offensive. 

“Yemeni forces opposed to the Houthis are in talks with the US and Gulf Arab allies over a ground offensive to oust the Iran-backed group,” the article stated.

Saudi Arabia, UAE Deny U.S. Talks on Yemen Ground Offensive

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia rejected reports claiming their involvement in discussions with the United States about a potential land offensive in Yemen against the Houthi group.

A senior UAE official called the reports “wild, unsubstantiated stories,” while a Saudi official source also denied the claims.

UAE Assistant Minister for Political Affairs Lana Nusseibeh told Reuters, “Among all the wild unsubstantiated stories going around, that one surely wins the misleading-news-of-the-week award, by a wide margin.”

Saudi-Led Coalition's Conflict with Yemeni Houthis

The UAE was part of a Saudi-led coalition that launched a military campaign in Yemen in early 2015 to support the Gulf-backed government against the Yemeni Houthis.

The Houthis, having waged civil wars against the Yemeni government from 2003 to 2009, withstood years of bombardment by the Saudi-led coalition starting in 2015, with little change in the main front lines of the conflict, according to Reuters.

The Red Sea coast saw a significant but ultimately unsuccessful assault by coalition-backed forces on Hodeidah, the largest port held by the Houthis.

Saudi Arabia calmed down its campaign in Yemen through peace talks and a truce in 2022, shortly before reaching a diplomatic rapprochement with Iran.

Houthis Threaten Saudi Arabia, UAE Over Backing Yemen Offensive

A member of the Yemeni Houthi movement warned that Saudi Arabia and the UAE would face serious consequences if they supported any new offensive against the group.

Speaking to the American newspaper Newsweek, the Houthi source said the group remains fully prepared to repel any attacks amid reports alleging that government forces are planning a large-scale ground operation.

“We are closely monitoring and following all developments on the ground, and we are in a state of extreme readiness and preparedness for all possibilities,” the Ansar Allah source told Newsweek. “This readiness has not just started now, but has been for a long time, because we anticipate and prepare for all developments.”

The Houthi representative further warned neighboring countries against intervening. “If they become involved in any way in the aggression against us in defense of the Israeli enemy, whether by deploying their mercenaries or otherwise, the cost to them will be beyond their expectations, God willing.”

Dozens Killed in U.S. Airstrikes on Yemen

U.S. airstrikes on Yemen’s Ras Isa fuel terminal along the Red Sea coast killed at least 74 people, marking the deadliest attack since the U.S. began its bombing campaign against the Houthis last year.

Health ministry spokesperson Anees al-Asbahi reported that Thursday’s strikes injured 171 others, based on preliminary figures, while rescue teams continue searching for victims.

The U.S. military said the strikes targeted a critical fuel source for the Houthi movement. 

President Donald Trump ordered the escalation of strikes last month, marking the largest U.S. military operation in the Middle East since he took office in January. Washington has vowed to continue targeting the Houthis until they halt attacks on shipping routes in the Red Sea.

Since November 2023, the Houthis have launched dozens of drone and missile strikes on vessels in the Red Sea, saying they are targeting ships linked to Israel in solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

Read More

Saudi and Dubai Grand Muftis Did Not Condemn Hamas Over Hostage Handover

Video of Gallant Saying U.S. Will Fail Against Houthis is Edited