The Saudi-led invasion of the vital Yemen aid port of Hodeidah has been slow going, and that’s fueled a lot of complaints from aid groups about the disastrous consequences of them taking the city. This has the coalition planning a major escalation.
Official are now saying that more than 10,000 additional troops will be sent against Hodeidah, both trying to shore up parts of the province already captured, and starting a new offensive against the city itself “within days.”
This new force is going to be heavily built around the Sudanese military, which has just recently dispatched thousands of troops to join the war. Sudan was part of the Saudi-led coalition from the start, but this is their first major involvement in the ground war in Yemen.
Hodeidah is the only aid port under the control of the Houthi movement, which controls about half of the country. The port is the lone source of food imports for about 70% of the country, and the fall of the city is expected by many to turn the country’s chronic malnutrition into a famine impacting millions.
As shown in this article, the United States is supporting both sides in the Saudi-led war in Yemen:
https://viableopposition.blogspot.com/2018/10/the-crisis-in-yemen-how-washington-is.html
Washington has proven itself to be completely unable to understand the repercussions of its global agenda.
Washington knows exactly what they are doing. The goal is control of Bab Al
Mandeb, the straits that is more valuable then Suez canal. Washingtom already controls Somalian horn, port of Aden, and everything South to Oman border. Using its one and only reliable ally, UAE — all leaders supporting Saudi sponsored Yemen government were assasinated or fled. US private army was involved, as latest news attest. What this stabbing Saudis in the back accomplished was to force Saudi Arabia to fight for one and only port, Hodeidah, to have enough control of access to the straights. Sudan is in the same predicament. So is Egypt. The Straits control passage of trade to and from Asia for all Red Sea countries. Even if Houthis and Saudis come to retms, if US does not like the terms, naval blockade will continue. It is the blockade that has stopped the food delivery, not fighting. Ships can still come to Hodeidah if US allows it. I do not see where exactly is Saudi military blocking access from port to hills. Before MbS became Crown Prince the war on Yemen was lost to Saudis, as they lost Aden and all points South. Instead of bothering with Hodeidah, they should dislodge UAE from Aden, and Hodeidah would not matter. But given that we know so little about the actual state of affairs on the ground, it is hard to predict. One thing is sure — US has been acting against Saudi Arabia in Yemen for nearly two years. It is almost a joke — we are assisting Saudis in fighting North, while essentially ousting them from the key interests in the South. And especially since many Saudi families originate from Yemeni south, and have been investing in it for decades. UAE would not be in position to take over without US help. It is hard to see where this one is going. Why is US suddenly so disinterested in continuing Yemen war? It is not Kashoggi, that is certain. And what are the terms of peace being suggessted? To whom? Saudis or Houtis? Many things do not add up yet.
This is an interesting post, wish you would slow down and give us some sources and links, like to follow your ideas up.
I cannot imagine Sudanese troops as high quality, ready to fix this mess by their professionalism. This is just fuel on the fire.
In a rush to beat the 30-day US timeline, obviously. Houthis should run to the hills and not fight this one. They can only pursue objectives in a brokered peace now that the US may be interested in such a thing.
Invading and occupying a place doesn’t necessarily mean success. The World’s Finest Military™ has a bad record; it took the US military several years to pacify Baghdad and they never did control Iraq. Then there’s Afghanistan….
…..and Vietnam.
Yes, I was thinking about Vietnam given the reports of heavy ANA casualties and the US interest in peace talks. The ANA is composed mostly of Tajiks from the north, mostly (not entirely) fighting the Pashtuns in the south and paying the price.
Vietnam finally ended because of the revolt in the ranks. Drafted troops refused to go on mission and fragged (assassinated) their superiors. The army was broken. Perhaps there’s a similar effect in Afghanistan after all these years.
At this point aid groups should be sending Houthis guns. Millions of lives may depend on their ability to keep up the fight until the Saudis are economically and diplomatically exhausted. Anonymous should get in on the fight too, for that matter.
Here’s a twitter feed on Hodeidah.
This new force is going to be heavily built around the Sudanese military
CNN
SudanTribune
I’d like to be there when the Saudi’s try to put together an offensive of 10,000 troops! Those ass-hats can barely dress themselves! Looks like western “advisors” will have plenty of work this fall……..