From Air to Ground: The U.S. Implements “Plan B”—A Ground Invasion That Could Turn Yemen Into a Graveyard!

NYN | Reports and Analyses 

As part of its military escalation in Yemen, the United States launched what it calls “Plan B” on Tuesday, shifting its focus from failed air campaigns to preparing for ground operations against the Houthis (Ansar Allah). This move comes as an attempt to compensate for the setbacks suffered during two weeks of intense bombing that failed to achieve its objectives.

This step coincided with intensive diplomatic efforts led by the U.S. ambassador to Yemen, Steven Fagin, who met with southern faction leaders, most notably Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, the UAE-backed head of the Southern Transitional Council.

Notably, Al-Zubaidi—who had previously expressed openness to normalization with Israel in media statements—affirmed his full support for U.S. actions, signaling his factions’ readiness for military cooperation with Washington against the Houthis (Ansar Allah).

Leaks suggest that the U.S. also urged Rashad Al-Alimi, head of the Presidential Leadership Council, to intensify attacks on the Houthis (Ansar Allah). This is reportedly part of a broader U.S. effort to enforce a diplomatic deal linking a halt to attacks on American ships with an end to U.S. airstrikes. However, this approach raises questions about the stark contradiction between Pentagon statements denying involvement in what it calls a civil war and the embassy’s active push for military escalation.

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has relied on southern factions in its war against the Houthis (Ansar Allah), but these groups have faced internal challenges, including divisions and corruption. Their primary motivation remains the goal of reestablishing a southern state, making their current cooperation with Washington seem at odds with their past refusal to fight wars for northern factions.

This raises questions about the nature of U.S. “incentives” for Al-Zubaidi, especially given his political openness to normalization with Israel. Has Washington offered guarantees for an independent southern state or international backing for his project in exchange for his participation in its military agenda?

It is worth noting that the UAE—the main backer of Al-Zubaidi—has strong ties with Israel today, fueling speculation about the potential role of “normalization deals” in reinforcing regional and international alliances for southern factions. Meanwhile, concerns grow that Yemen is becoming a battleground for geopolitical conflicts serving U.S. and Israeli interests at the expense of its stability.