Yemeni Civil War

Yemeni Civil War. The conflict is a multi-layered war involving a Houthi rebel group, the internationally recognized Yemeni government, a separatist movement in the south, and competing regional powers. It has escalated into a devastating humanitarian crisis and a significant proxy war between Iran and a Saudi Arabia-led coalition. The fighting has caused widespread destruction, famine, and disease, drawing extensive international concern and numerous, largely unsuccessful, diplomatic initiatives.

Background and causes

The roots of the conflict lie in the political instability following the Arab Spring protests in 2011, which led to the resignation of longtime President Ali Abdullah Saleh. His successor, Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, struggled with a weak central government, economic collapse, and deep-seated regional grievances. The Houthi movement, a Zaidiyyah revivalist group from Saada with historical grievances against the central state, capitalized on this discontent. Longstanding tensions between the north and south, which were unified in 1990, also resurfaced, with many in the south feeling marginalized. The expansion of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant further destabilized the security landscape, creating a power vacuum.

Timeline of major events

The war began in September 2014 when Houthi forces, allied with elements of the Yemeni Armed Forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, captured the capital Sanaa. By early 2015, they had placed President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi under house arrest, leading to his escape to Aden and later to Riyadh. In March 2015, a coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates launched Operation Decisive Storm, initiating a campaign of airstrikes and a naval blockade. Major battles ensued for control of cities like Taiz, Marib, and the port of Hodeidah. In 2017, the alliance between the Houthis and Ali Abdullah Saleh collapsed, leading to Saleh's death. The Southern Transitional Council later seized Aden from government forces in 2019, highlighting further fragmentation. A UN-mediated truce in 2022 brought a significant reduction in hostilities, though it lapsed without a permanent agreement.

Factions and foreign involvement

The primary factions are the Houthi movement, which controls Sanaa and much of the northwest, and the internationally recognized Presidential Leadership Council based in Riyadh and Aden. The Southern Transitional Council, backed by the United Arab Emirates, advocates for an independent South Yemen. Other significant actors include the Islamist party Al-Islah and various tribal militias. Foreign involvement is a defining feature: the Houthis receive political and military support from Iran and are advised by Hezbollah. The Saudi-led coalition, which includes the United Arab Emirates, Sudan, and others, provides extensive air power, ground troops, and funding to the government. The United States and the United Kingdom have offered logistical, intelligence, and arms support to the coalition, while Oman has played a key neutral role in hosting peace talks.

Humanitarian impact and war crimes

The war has created one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters, with millions facing famine due to the coalition's blockade and economic collapse. Widespread cholera outbreaks have affected hundreds of thousands. All parties have been accused of severe violations of international humanitarian law. The Saudi-led coalition's airstrikes have repeatedly hit civilian infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, and a funeral hall in Sanaa. The Houthis have been accused of indiscriminate shelling, using land mines, and recruiting child soldiers. The United Nations and groups like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have documented these potential war crimes and called for accountability, but with little progress.

Peace efforts and international response

Numerous peace initiatives have been attempted, primarily led by the United Nations. UN Special Envoys, including Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed and Martin Griffiths, have facilitated talks in Kuwait, Stockholm, and Geneva. The 2018 Stockholm Agreement focused on Hodeidah but was only partially implemented. The 2022 truce, negotiated by Hans Grundberg, was the most successful in reducing violence. Regional diplomacy has seen direct talks between Saudi Arabia and Iran, as well as Omani mediation. The United Nations Security Council has passed resolutions, including UNSC Resolution 2216, which imposed an arms embargo on the Houthis. The international response remains divided, with continued arms sales to the coalition by Western nations drawing significant criticism from humanitarian organizations.

Category:Yemeni Civil War Category:Wars involving Saudi Arabia Category:Proxy wars