Yemen's Military Offensive Puts Crucial Test Before Powerful Tribes Weighing Action Against the Houthis

Marib, a government stronghold in north-central Yemen, remains the base for pro-government tribal forces actively fighting the Houthis. A fresh military offensive launched by the Yemeni government is testing whether officials can convince influential tribes in Houthi-controlled regions that the overall balance of power is finally shifting.

For years, many tribes that are hostile or cautious regarding the Iran-backed Houthis have refrained from direct confrontation, held back by the group's formidable military strength and memories of past failed uprisings. These same communities are now observing the internationally recognised government's newly activated frontlines along the Red Sea coast, Marib, and al-Jawf to determine whether recent advances from the Dawn of Yemen military operation can become lasting victories.

The offensive, backed by Saudi Arabia, follows significant territorial gains made by the Houthis in September. During that period, the armed group—also known as Ansar Allah—swept across the country's Red Sea coast, capturing essential trade corridors including the port city of Mocha and territory surrounding the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

While ongoing airstrikes have created challenges for Houthi fighters, advancing deeper into well-entrenched strongholds like Sanaa, Saada, and Amran remains a steep obstacle. With the government declaring all-out war and vowing to recapture Sanaa, experts suggest that lingering tribal distrust may fade, potentially encouraging these groups to alter their alignment.

On Monday, a large tribal gathering took place in the Marib governorate, featuring tribal sheikhs and anti-Houthi fighters from groups such as the Jadan from Marib, Nihm from Sanaa, and other regional allies. The participants announced a general mobilisation to support armed forces in overthrowing the Houthi movement.

According to Adel Dashela, a researcher at the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies, actual mobilisation and sustained participation from these groups could significantly assist government troops in pushing toward core Houthi territories, including Sanaa. Dashela noted that while tribal fighters remain vital, their military involvement must operate through formal state and coalition command structures rather than as independent units.

Abdulsalam Mohammed, chairman of the Yemeni Abaad Studies and Research Center, explained that local groups are waiting for the right moment to act, seeking a reliable state before committing. He pointed to past events, such as the conflict in January 2019 involving the Hajoor tribe in Hajjah, where fighters were ultimately defeated by the Houthis despite limited supply drops from Saudi Arabia.

Over the past decade, the Houthis have systematically weakened traditional tribal leadership structures through military pressure, financial incentives, and alignment with the Palestinian cause. A tribal sheikh in northern Yemen, speaking anonymously for safety reasons, noted that this decade-long dominance has left tribes feeling subordinate, adding that concrete battlefield victories by the government will be necessary to convince neutral and anti-Houthi groups that the movement is truly losing ground.