Rabat - Moroccan troops are expected to take part in a large-scale ground operation of Yemen led by Saudi Arabia and its Sunni allies.
Morocco had already joined Saudi Arabia in its aerial campaign in Yemen aimed at weakening the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. In addition to Morocco, the Saudi campaign, codenamed Decisive Storm, is being waged by a coalition that also includes the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt and Sudan.
According to media reports, deploying Arab forces, including Moroccan ones, in Yemen is planned by Saudi Arabia and Egypt. A joint Arab military force has been reportedly established to push back Shia Houti rebels fighting alongside troops loyal to former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
Saudi Arabia and Egypt have both suggested the possibility of putting boots on the ground, according to CNN. And in March, Yemeni Foreign Minister Riyadh Yaseen said he expected nine member Arab coalition troops to be inside Yemen "within days."
Egyptians military and security officials were quoted as saying that the aim of the ground incursion "is not to occupy Yemen but to weaken the Houthis and their allies until they enter negotiations for power-sharing."
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri hinted a possible ground invasion at a gathering of Arab foreign ministers last month. He was quoted as saying that his country is "prepared for participation with naval, air and ground forces if necessary."
For its campaign against the Iran-backed Houthi militias, Saudi Arabia had deployed some 100 fighter jets and 150,000 soldiers. The UAE contributed with 30 fighter jets, Bahrain 15, Kuwait 15, Morocco 15 and Qatar 10.
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