Eight years into the conflict in Yemen, the country remains caught in a drawn out war that many in the West have largely forgotten. The humanitarian crisis there ranks among the worst in the world as Yemenis endure hunger while two rival sides, the Saudi backed government and the Iran backed Houthi movement, are used as pawns in a larger geopolitical struggle that stretches far beyond their borders. The crisis in Yemen continues to shape the Middle East’s broader security landscape.
The seed of conflict
In 2011 Yemen experienced a wave of protests as part of the Arab Spring. A popular uprising led to the departure of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who handed power to his successor Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi. The new leadership faced deep economic troubles and growing security threats fueled by radical groups and a Houthi minority movement known formally as Ansar Allah. The Houthis, who follow the Zaydi branch of Shiism, gained influence in the north of Yemen and began pressing their advantage with the northward advance.
By early 2014 the rebels controlled Saada and soon moved on the capital, pressuring the government to flee abroad in 2015. Neighboring Saudi Arabia quickly formed a coalition supported by the United States, the United Kingdom, and France to curtail the Houthis and restore President Hadi’s government.
Saudi Arabia vs Iran
In August 2015 ground troops arrived the port city of Aden and the coalition managed to push Houthis away from the southern areas. Yet the rebels retained control of Sana a and much of the north while the exiled government operated from elsewhere. The Houthis allied at times with former president Saleh, though their partnership fractured when Saleh urged his followers to oppose them. He was killed, and the Houthis grew stronger in the region.
During 2018 a broader campaign by Houthis and loyalist forces aimed to reclaim the Red Sea city of Hudaydah, a crucial harbor for many Yemenis dependent on imports. After months of fighting a ceasefire was reached, buying a fragile pause rather than a lasting peace. The conflict widened to include across border strikes against targets in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates which drew in regional actors and external powers. International observers have repeatedly called out violations against civilians amid the fighting. The United Nations has warned that both sides have committed grave abuses in this conflict.
Shy approaches
A ceasefire that emerged in 2022 with support from the international community did not hold beyond a short extension. Since then there have supposedly been efforts to exchange prisoners in a confidence building move that could pave the way to a broader ceasefire. A prisoner swap involving hundreds of people from both sides reportedly proceeded under an agreement reached through mediators in Switzerland. Such steps are welcomed, but the path to lasting peace remains uncertain and fragile.
The Red Cross and other humanitarian groups have described the situation as dire. Large numbers of people have been forced to flee their homes and seek safety elsewhere. The international community continues to monitor access to aid and essential services across the country while urging respect for civilians during any hostilities.
The world’s worst humanitarian crisis
The United Nations has warned that Yemen faces a humanitarian catastrophe of extraordinary scale. It is estimated that millions of people have been displaced or are in need of international assistance. A vast portion of the population relies on aid for basic survival and millions face the risk of famine. The toll of hunger, disease, and lack of clean water has produced a grim outlook for children and vulnerable communities.
UN data from early in the last decade indicate that most deaths in the conflict have stemmed from hunger, health care failures, and unsafe water. The impact on children has been particularly severe, with thousands injured or killed in the fighting. Yemen has also faced one of the largest cholera outbreaks in recent history, with millions of suspected cases and thousands of deaths linked to the disease since 2016.
Related posts:
Houthis, Yemen, and the Red Sea: A Complex Web of Power and Conflict UN Envoy in Yemen Presses for Expanded Ceasefire and Humanitarian Access Houthi Involvement in Yemen’s War, Red Sea Attacks, and Regional Power Dynamics Houthi Impact in Yemen and Regional Dynamics Yemen Conflict, Houthis, and the Global Attention on Security and Energy Ceasefire Talks and Humanitarian Steps in Yemen: Houthis, Saudi Delegations and Regional Mediation Ceasefire Talks and Humanitarian Efforts in Yemen Poland charts broader oil, energy, and security cooperation with Saudi Arabia Saudi Vision 2034: Football, Investment, and Growth in Saudi Arabia Recounting Saudi Cinema: From Bans to Boom and Beyond Recent clashes in the Red Sea and shifts in Yemen-related airstrikes impact global shipping and humanitarian needs Yemen Ceasefire Efforts and UN-Mediated Path to Political Dialogue