Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen

Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen
Conflict	Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen
Partof	the Yemeni Civil War (2014–present), the Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict, and the Arab Winter
Caption	Map of the Yemeni Civil War situation
Date	26 March 2015 – present
Place	Yemen
Result	Ongoing
Combatant1	Coalition:, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar (until 2017), Egypt, Jordan, Morocco (until 2019), Senegal (until 2015), Sudan, Local allies:, Presidential Leadership Council, Southern Transitional Council, Giants Brigade, Tariq Saleh
Combatant2	Houthis, Support:, Iran, Hezbollah
Commander1	King Salman, Mohammed bin Salman, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, Rashad al-Alimi
Commander2	Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, Mahdi al-Mashat

Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen is a military operation launched by a coalition of states led by Saudi Arabia in March 2015, at the request of the internationally recognized government of Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi. The intervention aims to restore the Hadi government following its ouster by the Houthi movement, which had taken control of the capital Sanaa and much of northern Yemen. The conflict has evolved into a protracted war, widely seen as a major theater in the regional rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran, and has precipitated one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.

Background and causes

The intervention followed the escalation of the Yemeni Civil War (2014–present), which began when Houthi forces, allied with elements loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, captured Sanaa in September 2014. This forced the government of Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi to flee first to Aden and then to Riyadh. The Houthis' advance was perceived by the Gulf Cooperation Council, particularly Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as an expansion of Iranian influence on the Arabian Peninsula, threatening their national security. The immediate catalyst for the coalition's action was a major Houthi offensive against the southern city of Aden in March 2015, which prompted President Hadi to formally request military support from the Arab League.

Military intervention and operations

Operation Decisive Storm, the initial air campaign, commenced on 26 March 2015 with extensive airstrikes on Houthi positions, air defenses, and military infrastructure across Yemen, including in Sanaa and the port city of Al Hudaydah. This was followed by Operation Restoring Hope, which combined continued air operations with a naval blockade and ground troop deployments, primarily from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Sudan. Key battles have included the lengthy campaign for Taiz, the coalition's offensive to recapture the Port of Aden, and the pivotal Battle of Al Hudaydah in 2018. The coalition has provided extensive support to anti-Houthi ground forces, including the Giants Brigade and factions aligned with the Southern Transitional Council.

Humanitarian impact and casualties

The war has created a severe humanitarian disaster, with the United Nations frequently describing Yemen as the world's worst humanitarian crisis. The coalition's aerial bombardment and naval blockade, alongside fighting on the ground, have devastated infrastructure, leading to widespread famine, a collapse of the healthcare system, and repeated outbreaks of diseases like cholera. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights estimates the direct death toll from violence to be over 150,000, while indirect deaths from hunger and disease are believed to be significantly higher. Major incidents such as the 2016 Saudi Arabian-led bombing of a funeral in Sanaa and the 2018 Saudi Arabian-led airstrike on a school bus in Saada have drawn international condemnation.

Diplomatic efforts and peace process

Multiple international attempts to broker a ceasefire and political solution have been undertaken, primarily led by the United Nations. The UN Special Envoys, including Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed and Martin Griffiths, have facilitated talks in locations like Kuwait City, Stockholm, and Geneva. The Stockholm Agreement in December 2018, which focused on the city of Al Hudaydah, was a significant but only partially implemented diplomatic breakthrough. A nationwide truce mediated by the UN in April 2022 represented the most sustained period of calm, though it eventually lapsed. Ongoing negotiations, often involving Oman as a mediator, continue to seek a permanent end to hostilities.

Regional and international reactions

The intervention has sharply divided international and regional actors. It has received political and logistical support from the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, who have supplied intelligence, weapons, and logistical assistance to the coalition. Conversely, Iran has consistently denounced the campaign and provides political and material support to the Houthi movement. The conflict has exacerbated tensions within the Gulf Cooperation Council, notably during the Qatar diplomatic crisis. Organizations like the European Parliament and the United States Congress have passed resolutions criticizing the coalition's conduct and calling for an end to arms sales.

Legal and human rights issues

The conduct of the war has been subject to intense scrutiny and allegations of violations of international humanitarian law by all parties. The coalition has been repeatedly criticized by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and UN panels such as the Group of Eminent International and Regional Experts on Yemen for airstrikes hitting civilian targets, including hospitals, markets, and schools. The imposition of the air and sea blockade has been condemned as a form of collective punishment. Both the Houthis and coalition-backed forces have also been accused of committing abuses, including arbitrary detention, torture, and the use of child soldiers. Efforts to establish accountability through mechanisms like the International Criminal Court have faced significant political obstacles.

Category:Yemeni Civil War (2014–present) Category:2010s in Saudi Arabia Category:21st-century military history of the Middle East